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DISCOVERY        ^u    , 

OF    THE  /      /A-   f'^A^ 

ORIGIN  OF  THE  NAME  OF  AMERICA 


THOMAS    DE   St.   BRIS. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1888,  by  Thoma^  ^  m  the  Office 

of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington.     Right  of  Translation  reserved. 


Communications  to  the  Publishers  should  be  addressed: 
'■'Origin  o/the  A'ame  0/ America,"  Box  No.  18 j 2,  Nezu  York  City. 


NEW  YORK.  ^^^^^k\^ 

1888. 


.y. 


MAY 

9.^ 


l| 


PAGE. 

Cause  of  the  discoveiy  of  America 7 

Portugal  seeks  a  passage  to  India 13 

Excitement  in  Spain,  and  arrival  of  Columbus 15 

Columbus  sails  to  find  Japan,  where  gold  and  pearls  grew 21 

Columbus  lands  in  the  "Western  hemisphere 22 

English  ships  seek  the  isle  where  gold  and  pearls  grew 30 

Spain   prohibits   foreigners  from  landing  in  the  Western  hemi- 
sphere    31 

Columbus  finds  a  Continent 32 

Ojeda,  with  Amerigo  Vespucci  as  passenger,  lands  at  Amaraca- 

pana 37 

Sir  Walter  Ealeigh  finds  the  valley  of  America-pana 50 

Amaraca-pana,  the  first  settlement  on  the  Continent 64 

Conquest  of  the  Kingdom  of  Amaraca  and  twenty  millions 68 

Amaracan  or  American  national  history 91 

Splendor  of  the  Kings  of  Amaraca  or  America 94 

St.    America    or    Hua-Amaraca,    the   foundation    and    historical 

Capitol  of  aboriginal  America 123 

Charles ;  King   of    Spain   and   Emj)eror  of    Germany,    baptizes 

America 124 

Treasure  found  in  America  creates  wild  excitement  in  Europe . . .  128 

Who  said  that  America  was  named  after  Amerigo  Vespucci  ? 130 


[Copyright  1888.] 


Me 


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Map  showin 


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"eosraphical  ideas  of    the  fifteenth  century,  ancl  tlie 


e  cities   and    Kingdor>-' 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  object  of  this  abridged  popular  edition  is  to 
present  in  a  brief,  clear,  and  simple  style  our 
discovery  of  the  origin  of  the  name  of  America, 
which  came  as  unexpectedly  as  that  of  Columbus; 
while  we  were  collecting  from  the  old  works  of  the 
Spanish  historians,  the  customs  and  histories  of  the 
Americans — called  Indians  by  mistake — in  order  to 
show  their  connection  with  Egypt,  of  w^hich  a  pre- 
liminary sketch  was  published  in  1882. 

We  have  attached  a  map  to  be  kept  in  view  while 
reading;  so  that  a  perfect  idea  may  be  obtained  of 
the  places  named  by  Columbud,  and  of  the  geog- 
raphy of  the  age  when  America  was  discovered. 

Asia  is  placed  in  the  position  given  to  it  by  the 
first  standard  map  of  the  world  on  which  the  West- 
ern hemisphere  appeared  ;i  and  the  Atlantic  coast — 
representing  the  early  discoveries  and  settlements  on 
this  Continent —  is  taken  from  the  first  atlas^  where 
the  name  of  America  is  apj^lied  to  its  southern  divis- 
ion, to  which  we  have  added  the  information  ob- 
tained from  a  local  chart"  showing  the  coast  of  Am- 
araca  and  the  kingdom  of  Cundin-Amaraca,  while 

'  Ptolemy  Atlas  1508.        =  Mercator,  Atlas,  1541.        =>  Codazzi,  Atlas  Venezuela. 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

the  cities  on  the  Pacific  coast  represent  the  extent 
of  the  kingdom  of  Amaraca  at  the  period  of  its  con- 
quest by  Spain.  Instead  of  referring  to  the  numer- 
ous Spanish  authors  which  we  have  consulted  in 
order  to  show  the  importance  of  this  Empire — 
which  only  bears  indirectly  on  our  subject — we  have 
referred  our  readers  to  a  most  interesting  work; 
where  these  scattered  histories  may  be  found  col- 
lected. We  speak  of  the  well-known  "Prescott's 
History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru  " — a  great  nation; 
of  which  our  notes  only  give  a  passing  outline. 

We  use  the  word  King  in  its  general  sense, 
instead  of  the  native  name  of  Inca,  which  has  a 
similar  meaning;  preferring  to  exclude  foreign 
words — which  tend  to  mystify  history — when  an 
idea  can  be  conveyed  in  our  own. 

The  Kings  of  Amaraca  or  America;  like  the 
Kings  of  England,  Japan,  (the  Mikado)  Turkey,  (the 
Sultan)  and  Persia,  (the  Shah)  were  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  chiefs  of  their  dominions.  Nearly  all 
the  works  we  have  examined  are  to  be  found  at  the 
Astor  Library,  which — with  a  valuable  number  of 
the  American  Geographical  Societ^^'s  maps  and 
atlases — have  been  the  principal  means  of  throwing 
light  on  this  subject  of  national  interest. 


The  following  are  the  principal  authorities  which 
have  been  consulted  in  this  work  : 

Adam,  Etudes  stir  six  langues  Americaines. 

American  Encyclopedia. 

Borde,  Histoire  de  I'ile  de  Trinidad. 

Brinton,  Mj'tbs  of  the  New  World. 

Balboa,  Histoire  dn  Perou. 

Brasseur  de  Bourboiarg,  Grammatica  de  la  langne  Quiche. 

Biondelli,  Glossarum  Azteco-Latinum  et  Latino-Aztecum. 

Bandini,  "  Vita  e  lettere  di  Vespucci  gentiluomo  Fiorentino. 

Brasseur  de  Boiirbourg,  "  Histoire  des  nations  civilisees  du  Mex- 
iqtie. 

Brasseur  de  Bourbourg,  "Popol  Vuh,  Le  livre  sacre  et  les  mythes 
de  I'antiquite. 

Beeton's  Universal  Biographj'. 

Carochi,  Compendio  del  arte  de  la  lengua  Mexicana. 

Cancellieri,  Dissertazioni  epistol  e  bibliografiche  Sopra  C. 
Colombo. 

Codazzi,  Atlas  of  Venezuela. 

Caulin  El  padre,  Coro-graphica  de  la  nuevo  Andalusia. 

Charnay  Desire,  Cites  et  ruines  Americaines. 

Del  Canto,  Arte  y  Vocabulaiio  en  la  lengua  general  del  Peru 
llamada  Quicha,  1614. 

Daly  Cesar,  Kevue  generale  de  rarchitecture. 

Encyclopedia  Britannica. 

Estevan,  Arte  dela  lengua  general  del  Ynga  llamada  Quechhua, 
1614. 

Enciso,  M.  F.,  Suma  de  geographia,  etc. 

Fernandez,  Histoire  del  Perou. 

Febres,  A.,  Arte  y  lengua  general  del  Eeyno  de  Chile,  1775. 

Garcilasso  de  la  Vega,  Commentaries  and  La  Florida  del  Inca. 

Gomara  Francisco,  Historia  de  la  Conquista. 

Gumilla  Jose,  El  Orenoco— 1745. 

Harrisse,  Les  Cortoreal,  Eecueil  de  voyages,  etc. 

Herrera,  Historia  general  delas  Indias,  etc. 

Humboldt,  Histoire  du  Perou,  and  Relations  historiques. 


6  ■  AUTHORITIES. 

Holgiain,  Arte  y  vocabulario  de  la  lengua  Quicha. 
Huerta,  Arte  de  la  lengua  Quicha. 
Irving,  Washington,  Life  of  Columbus. 
Jomard,  Edouarde  Fran9ois,  Cartes. 

Kunstmann,  Atlas  Zur  entdeckerungsgeschichte  Arnerikas.* 
Kohl,  Die  beiden  iitlesten  general-karten  von  Amerika.* 
Las  Casas,  Historia. 
Leon  Ciezca  de  Cronica  ap  Hakluyt. 
La  Hontain,  New  voyages  of  America. 
Lelewel,  Geographie  du  Moyen  Age. 
Murioz,  J.  B.,  Historia  del  Nuevo  Mundo,  1793. 
Malte — Brun,  Geographie  uuiverselle,  184L 
Mercator  Gerard,  Sphere  terrestre  et  sphere  celeste,  1541.* 
Navarrete,  F.  D.,  Coleccion  de  los  Viages,  etc. 
Napione,  Primo  scopritore  del  Continente  del  nuovo  mondo. 
Our  Country.     History  of  the  United  States. 
Oviedo  y  Baiios,  Historia  de  la  Conquista,  etc.,  1723. 
Oviedo  y  Valdes,  Historia  general  de  las  Indias. 
Prescott,  Wm.  H.,  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru. 
Piedrahita,  L.  F.,  Historia  general  de  la  nueva  reyno,  etc. 
Pelli,  Difesa  de  Vespucci. 
Kycaut,  Sir  Paul,  The  Royal  Commentaries, 

Eestrepo,  Historia  de  la  revolucion  de  la  Republica  de  Colombia, 
Bosny,  Leon,  Les  ecritures,  etc. 

Santarem,  Essai  sur  I'histoire  de  la  Cosmographie,  etc.,  and  Re- 
cherches,  etc. 

Simon  Padre  Fray  Pedro, — Primera  parte  de  las  noticias,  etc. 

Stephens,  Incidents  of  Travels  in  Central  America. 

Squier,  Peru. 

Torres  Diego,  Vocabulario  de  la  lengua  Quichua,  1745. 

Ternaux-Cowpans,  Essai  sur  I'ancien  Cundin-Amarea. 

Velasco,  Histoire  du  royaume  de  Quito. 

"Winsor,  Narrative  and  Critical  History  of  America.* 

Ximemes,  Las  Historias. 

Zarate,  Conquista  del  Peru. 

*  American  Geol.  Soc. 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN 

-     OF   THE  

NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


WHAT   LED   TO   THE   DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA. 

Two  eminent  merchants  from  the  beautiful  city 
of  Venice,  Nicolo  and  Matteo  Polo  by  name,  explored 
Turkey,  Russia,  and  India,  remaining  three  years  in 
Mongolia  to  learn  the  language  of  the  country;  with 
the  intention  of  extending  their  commerce  in  the 
East. 

They  were  invited  to  accompany  some  ambas- 
sadors en  route  to  the  Grand  Khan,  who  happened 
to  be  passing  through  their  village  (1261),  and  ar- 
riving safely  at  the  summer  residence,  he  gave  the 
Venetians  a  hospitable  reception;  being  exceedingly 
anxious  to  obtain  information  about  Europe. 

The  Khan  appointed  them  his  envoys  to  the  Pope, 
with  a  request  for  one  hundred  Europeans  to  become 
instructors  in  the  Mongolian  kingdom.  They  ar- 
rived at  Rome,  but  no  one  could  be  induced  to  go  with 
them;  and,  returning  accompanied  by  a  nephew — 
the  afterwards  famous  Marco  Polo — were  royally  re- 
ceived (1271);  more  especially  the  young  visitor,  who 


8  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

— rapidly  learning  the  language  and  customs  of  the 
country — was  sent  as  envoy  to  numerous  princes, 
and  heard  a  great  deal  about  central  Asia. 

He  was  appointed  Governor  of  a  Mongolian 
town  (1281),  and  subsequently  as  ambassador  to 
southern  China;  acquired  much  knowledge  about 
Japan  (Zipangu),  which  Columbus  was  destined  to 
sail  in  search  of  two  centuries  later. 

Having  obtained  permission  to  join  the  escort  of 
a  Mongolian  ]3rincess,  who  was  traveling  to  the 
Court  of  Persia,  the  three  Polos  left,  and  arriving  at 
Teheran,  stayed  there  until  hearing  of  the  Khan's 
death,  when  they  continued  their  journey,  and  re- 
turned to  Venice  (1295) — with  much  wealth  and 
many  precious  objects — wearing  Tartar  costumes, 
and  with  complexions  and  manners  so  totally  ori- 
ental, that  their  stupified  compatriots  stood  gazing 
at  beings  apparently  from  some  unknown  clime, 
while  they  completely  astonished  themselves  on  at- 
tempting to  speak  their  own  language,  after  an  ab- 
sence of  twenty-four  years.  No  one  could  be  found 
to  recognize  them,  and  to  overcome  this  difficulty; 
they  gave  a  magnificent  entertainment;  receiving 
their  guests  in  gorgeous  oriental  dresses. 

Retiring  to  prepare  for  dinner,  they  returned  in 
robes  of  crimson  damask,  and  after  the  first  course, 
again  disappearing,  came  back  in  suits  of  crim- 
son velvet,  finally  withdrawing,  they  re-entered 
dressed  as  Venetians,  making  presents  of  their  Mon- 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  9 

golian  costumes.  After  dinner,  Marco  Polo  showed 
them  his  coarse  Tartar  travehng  suit,  and  then  cut- 
ting it  open,  took  out  an  immense  number  of  beauti- 
ful jewels.  Everyone  seemed  to  be  willing  to  believe 
them  now.  or  at  least  tried  to  do  so,  but  their  stories 
were  so  fabulous,  that  the  more  they  thought  it 
over,  the  more  impossible  they  seemed  to  be. 

Some  years  afterwards,  Venice  was  at  war  with 
Genoa,  and  the  illustrious  Marco  Polo— commanding 
his  own  galley  in  the  great  naval  engagement  which 
■ended  victoriously  for  the  Genoese  republic — was 
among  the  captives. 

In  prison  he  told  wonderful  stories  about  his  voy- 
ages in  the  east,  soon  acquiring  a  reputation,  which 
was  only  excelled  by  that  of  the  arch-fiend  him- 
self for  prevarication,  and  would  have  been  severely 
punished  were  he  unable  to  point  to  the  wonderful 
trophies  from  fabulous  lands.  These  romances,  how- 
ever, as  the  people  thought,  were  exceedingly  amus- 
ing; and  he  was  allowed  to  write  them.  This  de- 
scription of  his  travels  and  the  magnificence  of  the 
oriental  nations— published  in  Latin,  French,  and 
Italian, — were  read  to  the  amazement  of  the  entire 
world . 

In  these  days,  the  art  of  printing  had  not  been 
discovered,  and  it  was  only  to  the  favored  few,  that 
the  great  voyages  of  Marco  Polo  were  known;  none 
of  whom  believed  that  they  were  more  than  grossly 
exaggerated  dreams,  and  at  his  death  (1323),  he  was 


10  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

implored  to  "retract  the  falsehoods  which  he  had 
been  constantly  repeating  during  the  latter  years  of 
his  life  as  to  these  voyages,"  but  he  died  asserting 
that  nothing  which  he  had  related  was  exaggerated, 
and  the  good  people  of  that  age  were  dumbfounded. 

Such  impossible  stories  were  they;  and  yet  they 
asked,  would  he  lose  his  soul  for  all  eternity,  for  the 
pleasure  of  persisting  in  a  few  harmless  falsehoods  ? 

Those  who  only  saw  fables  in  them,  and  were 
charitably  disposed  ;  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
he  had  been  telling  them  so  long,  that  he  had 
eventually  convinced  himself,  while  astronomers 
tried  to  read  the  answer  in  the  stars;  and  look- 
ing heavenwards  through  their  telescopes  with  new 
ideas,  saw  the  vindication  of  the  great  traveler. 

Previously,  all  the  science  of  Astronomy  came 
from  the  Arabs,  who,  as  masters  of  Egypt,  had  capt- 
ured the  knowledge  of  that  country,  but,  Marco 
Polo  aroused  Europe,  and  from  the  date  of  his  dis- 
coveries; maybe  placed  the  origin  of  our  astronomy. 

It  was  nearly  two  centuries,  however,  before  the 
people  of  that  primitive  age  would  admit,  that  their 
beloved  great-grandfathers  were  entirely  wrong  in 
asking  him  to  withdraw  his  assertions. 

The  famous  Toscanelli  took  the  initiative,  and 
Christopher  Columbus  was  in  communication  with 
him  as  to  the  possibility  of  sailing  by  the  west  to 
India.  Toscanelli  had  come  to  the  .conclusion  that 
Marco  Polo's  fairy  land,  could  also  be  reached  by  sea, 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  W 

which    he  communicated  to   King   Alfonso  Y,   of 
Portugal. 

In  his  letter  to  Columbus,  (1474)  this  celebrated 
astronomer  said,  "  I  praise  your  idea  to  navigate  to- 
wards the  west.  The  expedition  you  wish  to  under- 
take is  not  easy;  but  the  route  from  the  west  coast 
of  Europe  to  the  spice  islands  is  certain,  if  the 
tracks  I  have  marked  out  be  followed."  He  also 
sent  a  map  projected  from  the  Ptolemy  atlas  then 
in  use,  and  the  history  of  Marco  Polo's  voyages. 

In  the  fifteenth  century,  the  Arabs  were  the  most 
celebrated  merchants  of  the  world.  They  had 
established  themselves  at  various  cities  on  the  great 
road  from  Europe  to  India,  and  held  possession  of  it 
for  ages.  The  merchants  of  two  rival  republics — 
Genoa  on  the  Mediterranean  and  Venice  on  the 
Adriatic— sent  their  ships  to  Egypt,  the  Black  Sea, 
and  other  Arabian  centres  and  trading  with  them, 
supplied  Europe. 

In  the  sharp  contests  of  these  rival  republics  for 
commercial  supremacy,  the  Venetians  finally  ac- 
quired; by  diplomacy  and  business  activity,  such  in- 
fluence over  the  ports  of  the  Black  Sea  and  the 
Levant,  that  the  Genoese  saw  ruin  before  them;  and 
they  began  to  look  in  other  directions  for  relief  and 
continued  prosperity. 

The  merchants  of  western  Europe,^  being  ex- 
cluded by  the  Venetians  from  direct  participation  in 

^  See  Our  Country,  Vol.  I. 


12  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

eastern  commerce  through  the  Mediterranean;  were 
seeking  other  channels  of  communication  with 
India.  In  this  enterprise  they  had  the  assistance  of 
Prince  Henry,  a  son  of  John  I,  king  of  Portugal 
and  the  English  princess  Philippa  of  Lancaster,  a  sis- 
ter of  Henry  IV  of  England.  When  prince  Henry 
was  with  his  father  on  an  African  expedition,  the 
Moors  related  stories  of  the  coast  of  Guinea  and 
other  lands  then  unknown  to  Europeans.  He  be- 
lieved that  important  discoveries  might  be  made  by 
navigating  along  the  western  coast  of  the  conti- 
nent, and  the  idea  absorbing  his  attention;  he  retired 
from  court,  to  a  beautiful  country  seat  near  Cape  St. 
Vincent,  in  full  view  of  the  ocean,  and  drew  around 
him  men  of  science  and  learning  who  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  India  might  be  reached  by  going 
around  the  southern  shores  of  the  African  continent, 
an  idea  which  was  contrary  to  the  assertions  of 
Ptolemy — the  standard  geography  at  that  time — and 
of  many  learned  men. 

Up  to  this  period,  European  navigators  believed  in 
dreadful  reefs,  stormy  headlands,  reaching  far  into 
the  ocean,  and  a  fiery  climate  at  the  equator;  which 
boiled  every  whale  in  the  ocean  depths  attempting 
to  cross  the  line  where  waves  of  scalding  water 
washed  the  burning  sands  of  the  coast. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  13 

PORTUGAL   AWAKENED   BY   POLO'S   HISTORY;   SEEKS 
INDIA. 

The  King  of  Portugal  had  now  determined  ta 
test  Toscanelli's  ideas— also  believed  in  by  other 
astronomers  of  that  age— as  soon  as  he  was  in  a 
position  to  do  so.  Portugal  had  not  long  been  a 
kingdom  (1139),  and  it  was  only  during  the  reign  of 
Joan— the  great— (I3S5-1433)  that  they  succeeded  in 
repulsing  the  Moors— who  took  the  country  from 
the  Visigoths  in  the  eighth  centur}'- and  a  formid- 
able invasion  by  the  Spaniards. 

The  Monarch — whose  nation  was  now  undis- 
turbed— looking  towards  the  passage  which  might 
lead  to  the  wonderful  country  where  Marco  Polo's 
treasure  lay;  sent  an  expedition  which  discovered 
Madeira  and  the  Azores,  before  returning  to  relate 
stories  causing  intense  excitement.  Every  one 
wished  to  sail  in  search  of  Polo's  golden  land  ; 
amongst  them  the  King's  son  who  immediately 
prepared  for  sea,  and  making  further  discoveries- 
became  known  as  "Prince  Henry,  the  navigator." 
About  this  period,  the  art  of  printing  was  invented 
(1440),  but  fifteen  years  rolled  by  before  the  first 
book  appeared — so  far  as  is  known,  the  Mazarine 
bible — and  gradually,  stories  of  Portuguese  enterprise 
began  to  reach  the  seaports  and  learned  centers  of 
Europe;  which  brought  many  mariners  and  scholars 
to  that  country,  where  the  jet-black  gentlemen,  ira- 


14  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

ported  as  slaves  from  Africa  (1444), — then  living 
wonders — turned  the  eyes  of  Europe  towards  the 
little  kingdom  for  many  years,  and  correspondents 
sent  there  by  the  principal  people  of  several  nations, 
wrote  home  any  information  wliich  might  lead  them 
towards  the  land  of  gold. 

Mariners  who  had  flocked  there,  begged  of  the 
crown  to  put  tliem  in  command  of  vessels  in  search 
of  new  countries,  although  the  applications  were  not 
yet  so  numerous  as  Columbus  described  them;  when 
he  stated  that  after  discovering  the  new  land,  the 
commonest  sailor  in  his  vessel  wished  to  go  in  search 
of  territory  and  even  the  very  tailors  were  willing. 

He  was  among  those  who  went  to  Portugal 
(1470),  but  the  government  naturally  preferring  to 
associate  their  own  subjects  with  these  enterprises; 
did  not  then  employ  foreigners. 

He  was  the  son  of  Domenico  Casenueve^ — some- 
times called  Coulon  or  Colon  in  Spanish,  and  Colum- 
bus in  Latin — a  Genoese  wool-comber,  and  after  hav- 
ing been  sent  to  the  University  of  Pavia,  returned 
home  to  assist  his  father.  At  the  early  age  of  four- 
teen, he  was  sent  to  sea  with  a  distant  relative, — an 
Admiral  of  the  Genoese  navy — and  is  supposed  to 
have  been  in  the  naval  expedition,  which  was  fitted 
out  by  the  Duke  of  Calabria  to  recover  that  King- 
dom for  his  father. 

Finding  nothing  to  be  done  at  sea,  he  tried  his 

^  Narrative  and  critical  history  of  America. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  15 

fortune  on  land ;  by  making  charts  at  Lisbon,  where 
he  "  popped  the  question,"  and  was  accepted  by  the 
widow  of  a  Portuguese  navigator;  "a  rich  widow," 
historians  tell  us,  thus  far  resembling  Mohammed,^ 
immediately  before  he  founded  the  third  chief  re- 
ligion of  the  world,  and  we  may  be  gallant  enough 
to  suppose,  that  it  was  the  widow  who  advised 
Columbus  to  go  west,  but  he  eventually  lost  her, 
and  being  reduced  to  poverty,  (148-i)  went  with  his 
son  to  Spain. 

Portugal  continued  to  send  expeditions,  dispatch- 
ing Bartholomew  Dias — who  was  blown  around  the 
west  coast — to  explore  Africa,  and  the  King  deter- 
mined to  follow  up  his  discoveries  and  endeavor  to 
reach  India  by  sea— called  this  cape.  Good  Hope,  or 
Boa  Esperanga. 

Vasco  de  Gama,  a  gentleman  of  His  Majesty's 
household,  offering  to  go  with  an  expedition,  sailed, 
(8  July,  1497)  arrived  in  India,  and  by  appointing 
Viceroys,  extended  commerce;  which  made  them 
masters  of  the  eastern  ocean  for  nearly  a  century. 

MARCO   polo's   travels   EXCITE   SPAIN. 

Spain  was  anxious  to  participate  in  these  expe- 
ditions, but  she  also,  had  yet  too  much  to  do  at 
home. 

1  The  name  of  the  religion  founded  by  the  Arab  Mahommed— who  wrote  their 
sacred  book,  the  Koran,  610  a.  d. — and  incorrectly  called  Mahommedanism,  is 
Islamism,  i.  e.  submission  to  God. 


16  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

When  the  Germans  attacked  the  Spanish  province 
of  falHng  Rome:  these,  invited  the  Visigoths  to  aid 
them,  who  subdued  Spain  and  ruled  it,  until  Alaric, 
— one  of  their  chiefs;  quarreling  with  the  others- 
about  an  election, — asked  the  Moors  to  assist  him, 
which  they  did;  like  the  Visigoths,  by  conquering 
the  country,  (711,  A.  D.),  but  the  Spaniards  soon 
regained  a  large  portion  of  it,  only  to  be  lost  again 
(1252-S-i),  while  Alfonso  X  was  seeking  the  Im- 
perial Crown  of  Germany,  and  they  did  not  recover 
it,  until  the  war  against  the  Moors  (1481), — which 
ended  by  their  return  to  Mauritana  (Africa)  in  1492, 
and  complete  expulsion  from  Castile. 

Some  years  previously  a  navigator — soon  to  be- 
come famous — had  arrived  in  Spain/  Just  at  the 
evening  twilight  of  a  beautiful  October  day  (1485), 
a  man  of  fifty  summers, — tall,  well  formed,  and 
muscular,  a  face  once  rosy,  but  now  careworn  in  ex- 
pression; an  aquiline  nose,  rather  high  cheek 
bones,  eyes  of  light  gray  ;  his  hair  thin  and  silvery;— 
stood  at  the  gate  of  the  Franciscan  monastery  near 
Palos  in  Spain,  asking  for  a  little  bread  and  water 
for  his  pale-faced  motherless  son  whom  he  led  by 
the  hand. 

It  was  Christopher  Columbus,  then  in  extreme 
poverty,  on  his  way  to  the  Spanish  Court. 

While  the  porter  was  getting  refreshments  for 
his  boy,  the  prior  of  the  monastery  was  attracted  by 

1  See  Our  Country,  Vol.  I. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


17 


the  dignified  appearance  of  the  stranger,  and  con- 
cluding after  a  brief  conversation  that   he  was  an 


COLUMBUS   AND   HIS   SON   AT  THE   MONASTERY. 

extraordinary  man;  invited  him  to  remain.  With 
increasing  wonder  and  admiration  he  hstened  to  the 
navigator's  theories,  his  plans  and  his  hopes.     That 


18  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

such  a  man  should  stand  a  beggar  at  his  gate  was  a 
marvel  to  Father  Marchena. 

The  friar  was  learned  in  geographical  science. 
Able,  therefore,  to  comprehend  the  grandeur  of  the 
views  of  Columbus,  he  was  deeply  impressed  with 
the  wisdom  of  the  appai-ently  inspired  navigator, 
and  sent  for  a  scientific  friend  in  Palos  to  come  and 
converse  with  his  guest  within  the  quiet  cloisters  of 
the  monastery  where  the  project  was  received  with 
the  most  profound  respect.  The  friar  offered  him  a 
court  introduction,  and  proposed  to  educate  his  son 
Diego. 

It  was  now^  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and 
brilliant  periods  in  the  history  of  the  Spanish  mon- 
archy. The  marriage  of  Ferdinand,  King  of  Arragon , 
and  Isabella,  Queen  of  Leon  and  Castile,  had  united 
their  kingdoms  and  formed  a  strong  empire.  These 
two  monarchs  were  but  one  in  love,  respect,  interest, 
views  and  aims,  and  were  happily  united  in  their 
councils  for  the  good  of  the  realm,  yet  they  ruled 
as  distinct  sovereigns,  each  having  an  independent 
council,  and  frequently  holding  court  and  exercising 
sovereignty  at  widely  separate  points  at  the  same 
time.  They  wei'e  wise  in  council  and  brave  in  action. 
Sometimes  they  were  both  in  the  field  at  the  head  of 
troops  in  their  warfare  with  the  Moors.  The  armor 
worn  by  the  Queen  on  these  occasions  may  been  seen 
in  the  royal  arsenal  at  Madrid.  All  acts  of  sovei-eignty 

^  Our  Country,  Vol.  1. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  19 

were  executed  jointly.  The  national  coins  bore  their 
united  profile,  and  the  royal  seal  displayed  the  arms 
of  Castile  and  Arragon. 

Columbus  remained  quietly  at  the  monastery 
until  the  spring  of  1486,  when  the  court  had  arrived 
at  the  ancient  city  of  Cordova,  where  the  troops 
had  assembled  for  a  vigorous  spring  campaign.  To 
that  old  city,  and  to  the  court  of  the  young 
sovereigns  he  repaired,  bearing  a  letter  from  the 
friar  to  the  superior  of  the  monastery  of  Prado,  who 
was  the  Queen's  confessor,  but  war  was  then  raging, 
and  every  peaceful  occupation  was  disturbed  by  the 
clash  of  arms.  The  Crown  however,  eventually  in- 
foi'med  the  navigatoi',  that  they  would  consider  his 
pro  osition  when  peace  was  restored.  Columbus 
hac  received  an  invitation  to  visit  the  King  of 
Fraiice  at  Paris,  and  resolved  to  go,  but  the  friar 
advised  him  to  see  Queen  Isabella  again,  and  ar- 
riving while  the  Spanish  troops  were  in  pursuit  of 
the  last  of  the  Moorish  army,  he  was  presented  at 
court;  but  the  King  said  that  the  war  had  depleted 
the  treasury  to  such  an  extent;  that  they  could  not 
entertain  the  project.  "  I  will  undertake  the  enter- 
prise," said  Queen  Isabella,  "for  my  crown  of 
Castile,  and,  if  essential.  I  shall  pledge  my  jewels  to 
obtain  the  necessary  funds."  Columbus  knelt,  giv- 
ing thanks  to  God. 

The  ambition  of  the  navigator  was  lofty  and 
noble.     His  piety  was  heartfelt;  his  religious  con- 


20 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 


victions  were  deep  and  controlling,  and  his  zeal  was 
fed  by  an  earnest  desire  to  serve  God  and  benefit 
mankind.     And  when;  with  a  tongue  that  seemed 


QUEEN   ISABELLA   INVOKING   BLESSINGS. 


to  be  touched  with  the  flame  of  inspiration,  he  told 
the  Queen  of  his  faith  and  hope,— a  belief  that  he  was 
ordained  by  God  to  bear  the  gospel  to  the  heathen  of 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  21 

unknown  lands,  and  a  hope  that  he  should  bring 
back  to  her  the  glad  tidings  of  pagans  converted  to 
the  true  faith, — her  face  kindled  with  enthusiasm 
and  beamed  with  angelic  benignity.  And  when  he 
spoke  of  giving  to  Spain  the  honors  and  emoluments 
of  his  anticipated  discoveries,  and  promised  to  devote 
the  profits  of  the  enterprise  for  the  recovery  of  the 
holy  sepulchre  at  Jerusalem  from  the  hands  of  the 
Mahommedans,  the  beautiful  Queen  was  transported 
with  joy,  and  rising  in  ecstacy  froixr  the  throne,  while 
her  bright  blue  eyes  beaming  rays  of  hope  that  fain 
would  pierce  the  very  heavens,  vied  with  the  inani- 
mate lustre  from  those  marble  jewel-clasped  hands 
which  shone  like  a  divine  benediction  over  the  awe- 
struck form  of  the  navigator  as  he  stood  statue- 
like, with  bowed  head,  before  the  almost  transfigured 
Sovereign,  while  the  King  responded  "Amen." 

Hardly  had  this  war  ended,  than  Queen  Isabella- 
borrowing  money  on  her  crown  jewels — began  to 
prepare  the  expedition  to  find  a  western  passage  to 
India,  and  by  agreement  with  Columbus  (17  Apl,, 
14!)2),  appointed  him  High  Admiral,  and  Viceroy, 
of  lands  to  be  discovered. 

COLUMBUS   GOES   TO    FIND    JAPAN;    THE  ISLAND  WHERE 
THE   GOLD   AND   PEARLS    GREW, 

Sailing  out  of  Palos  on  the  2d  of  August,  1492, 
and  after  a  perilous  voyage— guided  by  the  chart 
made  by  Toscanelli;^  their  courage  was  rewarded  at 


iiiliiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil^^  ■iiiiii  nil     nil  iiliiiii  I       mm&"    ^iiiillliiWllilililiirf^^^ 


THE  NAME  OF  AMERICA.  23 

2  A.  M.  on  the  12th  of  October,  when  the  Admiral 
saw  a  light  moving  in  the  darkness,  and  calling  a 
companion,  they  discussed  the  serious  question  of 
its  reality;  but  the  low  sandy  shore,  observed  in  the 
bright  moonlight,  by  one  of  the  crew  of  the  Pinta, 
soon  removed  all  doubt. 

Next  morning  after  landing,  every  one  knelt  in 
solemn  prayer,  before  formal  possession  was  taken 
for  the  Crown  of  Spain.  It  appears  from  the  Ad- 
miral's log,Hhat  this  was  the  island  of  "Guana- 
hani,"  which  he  named  Holy  Redeemer  (San  Sal- 
vador). 

Sailing  away  on  the  14th,  so  many  islands  ap- 
peared—about one  hundred — that  he  did  not  know 
which  to  go  to,  but  next  day,  one  was  named  "St. 
Mary  of  the  conception,"  and  another  in  honor  of 
the  King,  "  Fernandino,"  and  on  the  16th,  landing 
at  "  Samoat," — which  the  natives  said  was  the  place 
to  find  gold— he  named  it  after  Queen  "  Isabella." 

"All,  all  events,"  he  writes,  "if  the  weather  is 
favorable,  I  will  sail  around  this  isle  until  I  get  an 
opportunity  to  speak  with  the  King,  and  see  if  I  can 
have  the  gold  that  I  hear  they  bring,  and  then  I  will 
leave  for  the  other  large  isle;  which  I  firmly  believe 
must  be  "Cipango."-  According  to  the  signs  that 
those  Indians  give  me;  I  make  out  that  they 
call  it  Colba  "  (this  was  Cuba),  "but  notwithstanding 
this,  I  am  determined  to  go  to  the  mainland,  and  to 

'  Navarrete,  Vol.  I.  =  Meaning  Japan. 


'^4r  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIX  OF  THE 

the  city  of  Guiasay,^  to  deliver  the  letters  of  Your 
Majesties  to  the  '  Grand  Khan.'  and  to  ask  him  re- 
spectfully if  I  may  go  with  him.*" 

The  Admiral  had  sailed  from  Spain,  to  find  the 
island  of  Japan,-  spoken  of  by  Marco  Polo,  whose 
description  of  it,  appears  on  an  old  chart:  which  was 
made  by  Martin  Behaim  (14S4i,  a  young  German' 
student,  who — like  many  others — was  attracted  to 
Portugal  by  these  discoveries,  during  the  period  that 
Columbus  resided  there  and  employed  his  time  by 
making  charts.  In  Behaim's  map  of  the  world, 
the  unknown  isle  of  Japan,  was  placed  where  he 
thought  it  probably  was:  adding  these  words: — 
^'  The  island  is  called  Zipangut.  lying  in  the  eastern 
world,  whose  inhabitants  manufacture  their  own 
gods,  and  have  no  King.  Enormous  quantities  of 
gold  grow  there:  and  also  jevjels.  and  eastern  joearls, 
the  sailors  having  found  li?,700  islands  in  the  Indian 
ocean."* 

The  Spanish  monarch s  must  have  concluded, 
that,  as  Marco  Polo  had  learned  Turkish,  the  Grand 
Khan — out  of  common  politeness,  if  nothing  else — 
had  studied  Spanish;  for  they  did  not  hesitate  to 
give  Columbus  a  letter  of  introduction,  which  he 
took  ashore  to  present  to  the  Khan,  who  was  only 

'  Spoken  of  ia  Marco  Polo's  voyages,  ch.  58. 

'  Navarrete,  Cipango.  ^LeleweL 

■*  "  Diese  Insul  genannt  Zepangut,  lieget  im  orient  der  Welt.  Die  Inwohner- 
bethen  abgotter,  an  ihr  Konig  ist  nimand,  Inder  insnl  -wachst  ubertreslicht  viel 
gold,  auch  wUchst  da  alleley  edelgestein,  pearlen  oriental.  In  diesen  Indianischcn 
Meer  sollen  die  scbifflenth  den  12,700  insulen  befnnden  liaben." 


,<^    f^'it. 


t  y-^i  % 


J  !s^<»r 


'A 


i/ 


XAME  OF  AMERICA.  25 

to  be  found  in  a  directly  opposite  quarter  of  the 
globe. 

Discovering  the  island  of  Cuba  on  the  2Sth  of 
October,  he  named  it  ''  Juana."  after  Prince  John; 
the  Spanish  heir  apparent.  Some  of  the  natives 
were  smoking  cigars  which  tliey  called  tobacco, 
while  others  made  them:  but  Columbus  considering 
it  a  savage  custom,  left  its  European  introduction 
to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.  Hayti,  they  found  on  De- 
cember 6th,  and  going  ashore  to  dine,  five  chiefs, 
subjects  of  King  Gua-Camahari,  came  to  visit  him. 
He  heard  from  the  natives.that  the  people  were  afraid 
of  the  Caribs.  who  went  all  over  the  islands  and  eat 
them,  so  that  the  Indian  who  accompanied  the 
Spaniards,  ran  forward  crying: — "'Don't  fearl  The 
christians  are  not  Caribs:  but  came  from  heaven, 
and  give  many  beautiful  things  to  those  who  visit 
them." 

On  this  invitation,  two  thousand  people  ap- 
proached, and  putting  their  hands  on  the  heads  of 
the  terror-stricken  Spaniards. — a  sign  of  eternal 
friendship, — invited  them  to  dinner;  which  was 
finally  accepted  when  confidence  had  been  restored. 
Their  bread — made  of  roots  resembling  radishes — 
had  the  flavor  of  chestnuts.  Columbus  sailed  about 
these  islands  still  looking  in  vain  for  the  Khan,  On 
Christmas  eve,  a  large  number  of  Indians  were  on 
board  the  vessel,  whom  he  asked,  where  the  gold 
was,  and  taking  with  him  the  most  intelligent  of 


26  THE  NAME  OF  AMERICA. 

them,  who, — after  naming  many  places,  —mentioned 
Civao,  which  the  Admiral  sailed  for,  expecting  to 
reach  Japan,  but,  it  was  only  another  part  of 
Haiti,  and  they  called  it  (Hispanola)  "  Little  Spain." 

On  landing,  King  Gua-Camahari,  advanced  to  re- 
ceive the  Viceroy,  and  laying  hands  on  his  head,  in- 
vested him  with  his  own  crown,  placed  him  in  a 
royal  sedan  chair  covered  with  a  canopy;  in  which 
he  was  carried  toward  the  city,  on  the  shoulders  of 
four  men,  as  their  Kings  are. 

Columbus,  taking  off  a  handsome  collar  of  beads, 
put  it  on  the  King's  neck — gave  him  a  cloak,  sent 
for  some  colored  slippers,  and  placed  a  silver  ring  on 
his  finger,  which  seemed  to  have  attracted  their  at- 
tention while  two  chiefs  exchanged  large  plates  of 
gold  for  trinkets.  Soon  afterwards  the  Admiral's 
ship  was  wrecked  here,  leaving  only  two  small  ves- 
sels. After  building  a  fort — placing  twenty-nine 
men  in  it,  who  were  never  seen  again — they  called 
to  say  good-bye  to  the  King,  and  sailing  among  the 
islands,  turned  homewards  on  the  17th  of  January, 
1493.  Columbus  was  nearly  wrecked  on  this  voy- 
age, and  fearing  that  no  one  would  survive  to  an- 
nounce the  new  world  to  Europe,  he  retired  to  his 
cabin,  writing  hurriedly  on  parchment  an  account  of 
the  voyage — amidst  the  uproar  and  shouting  of  the 
despairing  crew — and  wrapping  it  in  oilskin,  sur- 
rounded completely  with  wax,  he  put  it  into  a  barrel, 
well  fastened,  and  water  tight,  which  was  thrown 


28  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

overboard/  Columbus,  however,  landed  first,  and 
after  stopping  at  Lisbon  to  have  an  intervievv^  with 
the  King  of  Portugal,  he  arrived  in  Spain  on  the  15th 
of  March,  after  an  absence  of  seven  months,  and 
had  a  royal  reception  at  Barcelona  from  their 
Majesties,  who  requested  him  to  be  seated  in  their 
presence— an  honor  only  accorded  to  grandees. 

He  was  given  the  title  of  Don,  and  a  crest  bear- 
ing the  royal  arms  of  Spain — the  lion  and  castle — 
adding  a  group  of  islands  to  represent  his  discover- 
ies; while  extensive  preparations  were  hastened  for 
another  expedition.  The  Admiral  presented  Indians, 
gold,  pearls,  fish,  and  birds  from  the  new^  islands,  to 
their  Majesties,  w^ho  were  much  interested  in  hear- 
ing of  the  hospitable  treatment  of  the  natives,  and 
amused  by  the  story  of  the  Indian  lady,  who  had 
seen  her  face  for  the  first  time  in  a  mirror. 

That  Grand  Cardinal  of  Spain,"  invited  Colum- 
bus to  a  feast,  to  meet  the  Spanish  Grandees  and 
prelates.  To  the  navigator  he  gave  the  seat  of 
honor  and  other  marks  of  distinction.  These  at- 
tentions,— to  one  so  lately  a  poor  Italian  mariner 
— excited  the  jealousy  of  some  guests.  A  courtier 
asked  the  Admiral  whether  he  thought  that  in 
case  he  did  not  discover  the  Indies;  there  were 
not  men  in  Spain  who  would  have  been  equal 
to  the  enterprise  ?  Columbus  took  an  egg  that  was 
before  him,  and   invited   the   courtier  to   make   it 

'  Canoellieri,  p.  102.  =  Our  Country  Vol.  1. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  29 

stand  on  its  end.  He  could  not.  All  the  company 
tried  in  vain  to  do  it.  Then  the  Viceroy  struck 
the  Q^^  upon  the  tahle  so  as  to  flatten  the  end  by 
a  fracture  and  left  it  standing.  ''Any  one  could  do 
that,"  cried  the  courtier.  "After  I  have  shown  the 
way,"  rephed  the  Admiral.  "Gentlemen,"  he  con- 
tinued, "after  I  have  shown  a  new  way  to  India, 
nothing  is  easier  than  to  folIow\" 

Nearly  every  one  wished  to  go  on  the  new  expe- 
dition ;  so  intense  was  the  excitement,  and  the 
government  got  a  bull  (4  May,  1493),  from  pope 
Alexander  VI,  which  granted  fields  for  discovery. 
Then  Portugal  got  one;  which  gave  Spain  the  right 
to  all  the  land  one  hundred  leagues  west  of  the 
Azores,  but  the  Portuguese  objected,  and  it  was 
agreed  shortly  after  to  move  the  dividing  line  three 
hundred  and  seventy  leagues  further  west,  which 
unexpectedly  gave  her:  Brazil,  the  Spice  islands,  and 
half  of  New  Guinea. 

The  Admiral  sailed  away  on  the  25th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1493,  with  seventeen  ships,  and  fifteen  hundred 
colonists,  arriving  on  the  3d  of  November,  and  after 
discovering  several  islands;  returned  to  Haiti,  found- 
ing the  city  of  Isabella. 

An  expedition  to  the  interior  for  the  purpose 
of  finding  gold  was  successful;  and  twelve  ships 
were  sent  home  with  Indians  and  some  of  the 
precious  metal. 

These  discoveries  had  created  intense  excitement 


30  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

all  over  Europe,  and  questions  of  fitting  out  expedi- 
tions were  freely  spoken  of. 

ENGLISH   SHIPS   SAIL,  SEEKING   THE   ISLE  WHERE  GOLD 
AND   PEARLS   GROW. 

At  Bristol,  England,  lived  Zuan  Caboto,  a  Vene- 
tian, whom  they  called  John  Cabot,  who  having  ob- 
tained a  patent  from  Henry  VII  for  discoveries,  he 
sailed,  and  arriving  on  the  coast  of  Labrador  (24th 
of  June,  M97),  saw  such  a  quantity  of  fish  that  he 
called  it  "Baccalos,"  meaning  codfish.  His  son — 
then  a  boy— was  with  him,  and  writing  afterwards 
of  this  voyage,  he  says, — "I  began  to  saile  toward 
"  the  northwest,  not  thinking  to  find  any  other  land 
"than  that  of  Cathay,^  and  from  thence  turne  to- 
^'  w^ard  India,  but  after  certaine  dayes  I  found  that 
"  the  land  ranne  towards  the  north,  which  was  to 
"  me  a  great  displeasure."'-  On  his  return,  the  King 
gave  him  (3d  February,  1498),  a  grant  to  take  six  mer- 
chant vessels,  paying  the  government  price  for  them, 
and  to  enlist  volunteers,  "and  theym  convey  and 
lede,  to  the  londe,  and  isles  of  late  founde,  by  the 
seid  John." 

Cabot,  was  a  tow^nsman  of  Columbus,  but  natu- 
ralized by  Venetia. 

1  Marco  Polo  called  China,  Cathay. 

=  "  Sebastian  Cabot  in  the  first  voyage  which  he  made  at  the  charges  of  king 
Henrie  VII,  intended  [as  hlmselfe  confesseth]  to  find  no  other  Lande  but  Cathay 
and  from  Ihence  tnrne  towards  India:  and  the  opinions  of  Aristotle*  and  Seneca, 
tliat  India  was  not  farre  frome  Spaine,  confirmed  them  therein  "  Purchas  Edu. 
1GI7,  p.  894. 

*  Arist.  de  Coelo  et  Mundo. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  31 

SPAIN     PROHIBITS     FOREIGNERS     FROM    PARTICIPATING 
IN   HER  DISCOVERIES. 

The  Crown  of  Spain  had  been  aware  of  these  in- 
tended expeditions,  and  in  order  to  anticipate  them, 
a  proclamation  was  issued  (10th  April,  1495),  per- 
mitting passports  to  be  granted  on  certain  conditions, 
to  native  horn  subjects,  to  settle  in  Haiti;  or  to  go 
on  voyages  of  discovery  and  commerce  in  the  new^ 
possessions.^  Columbus  had  been  for  nearly  three 
years,  the  only  one  to  whom  aid  was  given  to  ex- 
plore the  Western  hemisphere,  and  the  govern- 
ment,—seeing  that  other  nations  were  preparing  to 
participate  in  their  discoveries — offered  permission 
to  their  subjects  to  anticipate  them.  This  was  not 
unjust  to  the  Viceroy,  whose  rights  were  preserved 
by  an  edict  issued  soon  after.  Complaints  were 
being  made  of  the  Admiral's  government  of  Haiti 
with  such  persistency;  that  the  Crown  was  obliged 
to  send  a  representative  to  investigate  them  (in 
October),  and  he  returned  next  year,  w^hile  the 
Viceroy  accompanied  him  in  another  vessel.  These 
difficulties  were  surmounted,  and  Columbus  obtained 
a  decree  (4  June,  1497),  prohibiting  emigration  or 
trading  in  his  discoveries. 


32  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIX  OF  THE 

COLUMBUS   FINDS   THE  WESTERN   HEMISPHERE. 

Another  expedition  was  fitted  out,  and  sailing- 
on  his  third  voyage  in  command  of  six  vessels  <  30th 
May,  1498),  Columbus  discovered  an  isle,  naming  it 
Trinidad,  before  sailing  into  the  Orenoco  (^Slst  July), 
which  he  thought  was  the  river  Gihon,  with  its 
source  in  the  garden  of  Eden  "the  earthly  paradise 
of  Adam  and  Eve."  The  view  of  this  immense  river 
inflamed  the  Admiral's  very  rehgious  feeling,  and 
after  referring  to  the  four  rivers  of  Paradise,  he 
gives  the  following  indication  of  knowledge,  which 
would  not  be  supposed  from  his  style  of  writing; 
"St.  Isador  and  St.  Bede,  and  Strabo,  and  the 
Master  of  history,  (Herodotus j  and  St.  Ambrose  and 
Scoto,  and  all  the  sacred  theologians  agree,  that  para- 
dise is  in  the  east."  Then,  after  referring  to  the 
Latin  historian  Pliny,  he  continues,  "Aristotle  said 
that  the  world  was  small,  and  the  water  little  ; 
so  that  it  was  easy  to  pass  from  Spain  to  India,  and 
Seneca  said,  that  Aristotle  got  his  information  from 
Alexander  the  Great."  He  continues: — "'I  had  not 
yet  spoken  with  any  of  the  natives,  which  I  was  ex- 
ceedingly anxious  to  do,  and  after  sailing  a  long 
distance,  where  the  land  v:as  cultivated,  I  sent  boats 
ashore,  as  we  wanted  provisions.  The  land  continued 
to  improve,  and  the  population  was  denser,  as  we 
went  west;  therefore,  we  proceeded  along  the  coast 
until  coming  to  a  river.     The  people  crowded  to  the 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  33 

shore  in  countless  numbers.  They  had  very  pohshed 
manners,  and  tall  and  graceful  figures;  wearing 
smooth  long  hair,  and  with  whiter  skin  than  any  I 
had  yet  seen  in  the  Indies,  besides  being  courageous 
and  intelhgent."  This  land  he  considered,  "  was  the 
highest  elevation  in  the  world, and  nearest  to  the  sky." 
"They  told  me  that  they  called  this  place  Paria, 
and  that  from  there  towards  west,  was  a  larger  popu- 
lation. We  took  four  of  them  on  board,  and  sail- 
ing thirty-two  miles;  found  the  most  charming  land 
in  the  world,  well  populated,  where  we  anchored  to 
admire  its  verdant  beauty  and  to  see  the  people; 
who  came  in  boats  to  beg  of  me  on  behalf  of  their 
king  to  land,  and  when  they  saw  that  we  were  not 
afraid  of  them,  an  immense  number  arrived,  bring- 
ing presents  for  us.  They  wore  handkerchiefs  on 
the  neck,  and  others  around  their  arms,  and  some 
pearls.  We  were  delighted  to  see  these,  and  in- 
quired anxiously  where  they  found  them,  which 
they  told  me  were  to  be  had  further  west. 

"  They  say  that  when  we  land,  we  shall  see  the 
two  chiefs  of  the  place,  whom  I  think  are  father  and 
son.  They  govern  a  very  large  coast,  where  bread 
and  many  kinds  of  wine  come  from,  and,  not  hav- 
ing any  vines,  they  must  be  made  from  fruit  or 
maize,  similar  to  that  found  in  Spain.  All  the 
men  occupy  one  side  of  the  house,  and  the  women 
the  other.  They  have  great  difficulty  in  making 
our  Indians  understand  their  questions;  as  to  us. 


34  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

and  our  country,  and  so  have  we;  in  our  endeavor 
to  find  out  about  them." 

"After  lunch  at  the  house  of  the  oldest  inhabit- 
ant, we  took  his  son  and  others  with  us,  and  sailed 
away,  as  I  was  so  anxious  to  replenisn  our  supplies, 
which  is  done  with  great  difficulty.  We  arrived  at 
a  place  which  I  called,  "'  the  gardens,''  as  it  looked 
so.  The  people  wore  gold  plates  around  their  necks, 
and  had  very  large  canoes,  with  cabins  for  the 
chief  and  his  wives  " 

"I  did  my  best  to  find  where  they  got  the  gold, 
which  they  say  is  to  be  found  not  far  away  on  very 
high  lands  north  of  them,  but  they  advise  us  not 
to  go;  as  the  people  might  eat  us.  They  told  us  that 
they  found  the  pearls  further  west,  and  as  our  time 
was  precious;  we  passed  it  in  asking  questions,  and 
then  sailed  in  that  direction." 

After  being  ill  for  sometime  on  the  coast,  the 
Admiral  finally  returned  to  his  Viceroyalty  at  Haiti; 
sending  five  ships  to  Spain  with  slaves,  and  as  large  a 
quantity  of  pearls  and  gold  dust  as  he  could  collect, 
with  a  chart,  and,  a  complete  description  of  the  main- 
land,^ which  the  government  handed  to  John  Eoder- 
iquez  de  Fonseca — afterwards  Bishop  of  Toledo — 
who,  shortly  before  the  arrival  of  these  vessels,  had 
been  appointed  Commissioner  to  issue  passports  to 
the  Western  part  of  India,"  which  it  was  supposed 
to  be. 

1  Navarrete  Coleocion  III.  »  HerreTra,  p.  5  and  539.    Note. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  35 

The  illustrious  national  sacred  name,  of  the 
greater  portion  of  the  southern  Continent,  includ- 
ing that  x>art  first  discovered  hy  Columbus,  was 
"^7«eWca,"^  which  appeared  on  early  maps,  as 
an  appropriate  honor  to  the  great  Navigator,  who 
had  made  the  discovery.  This  was,  however, 
only  an  additional  acknowledgment  of  gratitude, 
which  the  world  owed  to  him.  They  had  previously 
made  him  Admiral  and  Viceroy  of  the  West  Indies, 
named  the  "  Columbian  Archipelago  "  and  the  "  Co- 
lumbian Sea."-  He  was  authorized  to  use  the 
royal  arms  of  Spain,  on  armorials  granted  to  him, 
the  islands  first  discovered  being  represented  on  it, 
one  of  which  was  called  ''Monferrato,"— after  his 
birthplace,^ — on  the  earliest  standard  map  showing 
the  Western  Hemisphere.^ 

The  Spanish  colonists  adopted  the  native  name  of 
America,  to  designate  their  first  settlement  on  the 
main-land  of  the  new  world,  but  in  those  days,  the 
rules  of  orthography  were  undefined,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  the  numerous  errors  of  printing,  names  were 
spelled  in  any  way  which  the  writer  considered  most 
appropriate,  and  hence  we  have  America,  not  only 
written  Amaraca,'  Amerioco  and  Amerioca,"  Mara- 
ca,'    Moraca^    and   America,^  but  they    added    the 

1  Ptolemy  S:ditions,  Astor  Library.     -  Codazzi,  Map  3.     »  Cancellieri,  p.  25. 

■*  Ptolemy,  1508.     ^  Humboldt,  Vol.  I,  p.  324.     «  Raleigh,  p.  11  and  99. 

^  Herrera.     *'  Mercater. 

»  The  style  in  which  national  names  were  written,  depended  on  the  nationality 
of  the  writer.  An  Englishman  spealis  of  Germany  which  the  Spaniards  call  Alema- 
nia,  although  Deutschlan  J  is  the  proper  name. 


^: 


i*l«l  I 


i 


36  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

native  word,  "pana,"  which  Sir  Walter  Ealeigh  ex- 
plains, meant  an  equivalent  of  couutr}',^  and  in 
Codazzi's  map,  the  name  applying  to  the  seashore 
is,  "coast  of  Maracapana." 

The  Baron  de  Humboldt  spent  several  j^ears  in 
this  part  of  America  (1799-1804),  and  wrote  three 
volumes,-  containing  nearly  seven  thousand  pages 
of  modern  size.  The  object  of  his  visit,  was  to 
study  the  nation,  and  we  need  hardly  refer  to  his- 
rare  erudition,  to  be  found  in  this  beautiful  work, 
which  treats  of  nearly  every  subject.  From  him  we 
learn,  that  the  first  settlernent  of  the  Spaniards  on 
the  main-land,  was  at  AMARACA-j9a72a,^  which,  with 
Cumana,  and  Cubagua — both  adjoining  it — were 
the  chief  places  of  the  African  slave  trade,  so  fright- 
fully active  there  in  the  sixteenth  century,  untiL 
stopped  by  the  Emperor,  Charles,  V. 

The  immense  quantity  of  pearls,  first  attracted 
the  attention  of  Columbus  and  the  Spanish  pioneers 
who  followed  him,  all  of  whom  spoke  of  it  as  the 
pearl  coast,*  which  was  on  the  low  shore  between 


^  p.  95.  It  is  ciistomary  to  add  the  word  land,  to  names  of  countries  ;  as  in 
Erin  or  Ir-laud,  Po-land,  Scot-land,  Angle  or  Engliiud,  HoU-land,  DeutscL-land,  (the 
pioper  nairie  of  Germany).  Japan  Koonee,  or  country,  and  the  Amaracans 
or  Americans,  used  the  same  system  ;  which  distinguished  countries  from 
names  of  races,  persons,  or  diviniiies,  but  they  generally  defined  their  nation  and 
cities  as,  "America,  the  capitol,"  or  on  the  mountaju,  in  which  cases,  the  word, 
Vana  being  unnecessary,  was  not  addtd.  Its  meaning  as  land,  may  be  found  in  Del 
Canto's  "Arte  y  vocabulario,"  1611  a.  d.,  and  others.  In  Mexican  pan,  meaning, 
country,  was  written  by  sketching  a  flag,  which  floated  over  the  national  territory. 

=  Eelalions  historiques.  =  Kelaiions  historiques,  Vol.  I.,  p.  324. 

*  Navarrete,  Vol.  I,  p.  263  ;  Caulin  Histcria,  p.  157  ;  Simon,  p.  316. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  37 

the  capes  Paria,  and  de  la  Vela,^  appearing  under 
the  nambs  of  "coast  of  Maracapana,"  or  properly 
Amaraca-pana"  and  "Pearl  Coast,"  both  covering 
equally  the  entire  shore  in  Codazzi's  map  of  Vene- 
zuela, showing  the  voyages  of  the  Admiral  and 
others. 

The  name  Maracapan,  was  written  on  the  early 
Spanish  maps^  in  red,  which  indicated  the  places 
first  discovered  by  Columbus. 

OJEDA,  WITH  AMERIGO  VESPUCCI,  AS  PASSENGER,  FOL- 
LOWS COLUMBUS;  LANDING  AT  SEVERAL  PLACES, 
BUT  WAS  ONLY  WELL  RECEIVED  AT  AMARACA- 
PANA,  "  WHERE  WE  WERE  TREATED  LIKE  ANGELS." 

An  expedition  arrived  at  the  main-land  (1499), 
following  the  Admiral,  in  command  of  Alonzo  de 
Ojeda,  who  had  with  him,  Amerigo  Vespucci.  Ojeda 
wrote  a  concise  history  of  his  voyage  along  the 
coast  of  Maracapana  or  America,  and  this  has  been 
preserved  in  an  old  Spanish  book;  from  which  we 
have  taken  an  extract. 

It  is  the  work  of  Don  Antonio  de  Herrera,  "  his- 
torian of  his  Majesty  of  India,  and  of  Spain,"  which 
he  calls  "general  history  of  the  West  Indies,  or 
lands  of  the  Spaniards,  in  the  islands  and  main-land, 
on  the  Ocean  Sea." 

1  Humboldt  Relations  liistoriques, 

-  numboldt  Relations  liistoriques,  Vol,  I,  p.  364. 

^  Eunstmann  and  Kohl  charts.  Am.  Geol.  Soc.  and  Jomard,  etc.,  Astor  Library. 


38  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

After  referring  to  the  colonists  in  the  West 
Indies;  several  of  whom,  said  Columbus;  were  most 
undesirable  acquisitions,  he  begins  the  description 
given  by  Ojeda/  during  his  voyage  to  Amaraca- 
pana  : 

"There  arrived  at  the  Spanish  court,  Miguel  Bal- 
lester,  and  Garcia  de  Barrantes,  with  a  legal  process 
against  Francisco  Eoldan  and  his  companions,  who 
also  sent  counsel  for  their  defense  " 

"  The  prosecution  charged;  that  Eoldan  and  his 
followers  were  wicked  men,  vicious,  violent,  flirting 
terribly  with  the  women,  highwaymen,  and  hypo- 
crites. The  Counsel  of  Viceroy  Columbus  also 
averred,  that  without  any  reason,  they  had  caused 
many  scandals  and  dangerous  affairs  in  the  Island 
(Haiti,  the  seat  of  Government).  They  also  refused 
obedience  to  the  admiralty,  and  resided  as  far  as 
possible  out  of  the  Governor's  jurisdiction;  in  order 
to  be  able  to  live  at  liberty,  and  to  commit  the 
above-named  crimes;  wherefore  this  indictment  was 
sent,  with  information  of  the  annoyance  they  had 
caused  since  their  arrival,  and  what  the  admiralty 
had  suffered  by  them,  as  well  as  the  impediments 
put  in  the  way  of  the  prosecution  of  so  many  great 
discoveries,(which  the  admiralty  had  begun  to  show), 
and  other  matters  of  much  service  to  the  King. 
Eoldan's  Counsel,  on  the  contrary,  complained  ter- 
ribly  of  the  Admiral,  and   the    admiralty,  calling 

'  Heriera,  Vol.  I,  p.  82. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  39 

them  cruel  tyrants,  who  tormented  people  for  al- 
most nothing,  and  punished  them  as  if  they  were 
anxious  to  spill  Spanish  blood,  and  that  one  could 
hardly  ask  for  anything  in  the  Empire  of  the  Indies, 
without  being  locked  up;  because  they  did  not  wish 
anyone,  except  themselves;  to  w^ork  the  gold  mines. 
They  also  made  many  other  charges,  to  hide  their 
disgrace  and  rebellion,  and  concluded  by  saying;  that 
these  circumstances  had  caused  them  to  refuse  to 
obey  the  Admiral;  who  wrote  a  very  long  letter  to 
the  King,  abbreviating  many  things  that  had  hap- 
pened on  the  voyage,  complaining  of  his  misfortunes 
and  adversities;  and  adding,  that  counsel  for  the 
prosecution  and  defense,  would  sail  with  five  ships, 
bringing  slaves  " 

"  Great  was  he  satisfaction  of  their  Majesties 
"with  the  news  of  the  further  discovery  (the  Ameri- 
can Continent),  made  by  the  Admiral,  and  with  the 
samples  of  pearls,  wiiich  had  never  before  been 
found,  and  on  seeing  the  form  of  the  land  (in  the 
chart  sent  them  by  Columbus)  which  gave  every  in- 
dication that  it  might  be  the  main-land  (of  India). 
Great  would  have  been  the  joy  at  Court,  if  the  news 
of  the  revolt  of  Roldan  had  not  accompanied  it  '' 

"  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  at  that  time  in  the  City,  (he 
had  sailed  with  Columbus  on  his  second  voyage), 
came  to  see  the  samples  of  gold  and  pearls,  being  a 
friend  of  Juan  Roderiquez  de  Fonseca— the  future 
Bishop  of  Toledo, — to  whom  applications  were  to  be 


40  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

made  for  passports  to  India,  and  he  applied  for  one 
to  go  "anywhere,"  to  discover  islands  or  main-land, 
which  w^as  granted  to  him;  excluding  the  possessions 
of  the  King  of  Portugal,  (who  had  already  much 
territory  in  the  East  Indies),  and  the  discovery  of  the 
Admiral,  up  to  the  year  1495." 

"  So  many  people  wished  to  join  the  Expedition; 
that  four  ships  were  fitted  out,  and  Ojeda — who 
had  already  lived  for  some  time  in  the  West  Indies, — 
took  Juan  de  la  Cosa  Vizcano,  with  him  as  pilot, 
and  Amerigo  Vespucci,  as  Merchant,  "because  he 
was  so  learned  in  navigation  and  universal  geogra- 
phy."^ 

"  They  sailed  (20th  May  1499), — guided  by  a  copy 
of  the  chart  sent  home  by  Columbus" — and  steering 
westward  and  then  south,  arrived — after  a  passage 
of  twenty-six  days,— insight  of  land, which  they  con- 
cluded was  a  continent,  observing  an  infinite  number 
of  naked  people,  who,  after  gazing  at  them,  appar- 
ently in  a  state  of  stupefaction,  fled  to  the  mount- 
ains, while  they  called  them  in  vain  to  return." 

"  The  ships  were  anchored  on  the  open  shore,  and 
fearing  a  storm  ;  it  was  decided  to  go  to  the  lower 
coast  in  search  of  a  harbor." 

"  After  coasting  for  two  days,  they  found  a  good 
port,  w^here  a  large  number  of  people  came  to  see 
them.  Forty  soldiers  landed,  calling  the  Indians  by 
signals,  showing  little  bells,  mirrors,  and  other  toys, 

1  Herrera,  Vol.  I,  p.  86.  ^  Piedraliita,  p.  316. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  '  41 

but  without  success.  At  length,  some  of  the  most 
courageous  surrounded  them,  to  whom  they  gave 
bells,  before  returning  on  board  for  the  night,  as  the 
Indians  retired  to  their  houses.  In  the  morning, 
the  shore  was  covered  with  people,  the  women  carry- 
ing children  in  their  arms  ;  who  were  very  quiet, 
and  while  the  Spaniards  were  rowing  ashore,  the 
natives ;  with  much  confidence,  swam  out  to 
meet  them.  These  people  were  of  middle  height, 
well  proportioned,  broad  faces,  very  red  skin,  and 
only  wore  hair  on  the  head.  Either  sex  were  ex- 
tremely athletic,  and  expert  swimmers  and  warriors. 
They  taught  the  women  the  art  of  war;  so  that  they 
might  defend  themselves  against  those  of  another 
nation  who  were  fond  of  eating  people,  and  their 
only  battles  were  against  these.  There  were  few 
gold  mines  in  this  place,  or  anything  else  of  value, 
but  nothing  could  have  been  better  than  the  fertility 
of  their  lands." 

"Ojeda  sailed  along  the  low  coast,  stopping  on 
the  way,  and  trading  with  the  people." 

"  Finally,  he  arrived  at  a  port,  where  they  saw  a 
village  on  the  shore — called  Maraca-ibo  by  the 
natives— "  which  had  twenty-six  large  houses  of 
bell  shape,  built  on  pillars  or  supports,  with  swinging 
bridges  leading  from  one  to  another ;  and  as  this 
looked  like  Venice  in  appearance,  he  gave  it  that 
name,  which  was  subsequently  adopted  by  the  re- 
public of  Venezuela." 


43  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

''  The  Indians  approached  the  vessels  and  re- 
turned very  much  frightened  ;  closing  the  bridges 
and  shutting  themselves  up  in  houses,  but  eventu- 
ally they  paddled  around  the  ships  in  twelve  canoes; 
gazing  at  them" — as  the  Spaniards  said  "  in  a  state 
of  stupefaction."  They  used  every  means  to  attract 
them  on  board,  but  an  unfortunate  accident  oc- 
curred quite  unexpectedly,  which  soon  darkened 
their  prospects. " 

Making  signals  that  they  would  return,  and  row- 
ing ashore  towards  a  hill,  the  natives  came  back 
with  sixteen  yonng ladies;  giving  four  to  each  one,"^ 
— as  there  were  foui'  ships, — probably  to  each  of  the 
Captains. 

"  The  streets  soon  became  crowded  with  people, 
but  none  ventured  near.  Some  of  the  old  women 
began  to  scream  and  pull  out  their  hair,  when  the 
young  ladies, — jumping  overboard,  swam  towards 
the  shore,  while  the  Indians,  leaving  the  ships, 
entered  their  canoes,  and  paddling  away,  shot 
arrows  at  their  visitors,  who  were  between  them 
in  their  boats." 

''  The  Spaniards  swamped  some  of  the  canoes,^ 
and  killed  twent}"  natives;  also  wounding  many." 

"  They  captured  two  young  ladies,  and  three 
men;  but  one  of  the  latter,  extricating  himself  dex- 
terously; jumped  overboard." 

"Sailing  along  three  hundred  and  twenty  miles  of 
the  low  coast,  toward  Paria — where  the  natives  had 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  45 

different  manners, — they  saw  over  four  thousand 
naked  people  along  the  river  who  fled  in  terror  to 
the  mountains." 

Here  they  landed,  and  found  fish  drying  at  fires 
in  their  cabins,  which  was  to  be  boiled,  cut  up,  made 
into  small  loaves,  baked  on  wood  fires,  and  used  as 
bread." 

""  There  was  an  abundance  of  fruit,  flowers,  and 
beautiful  birds  in  this  charming  place,  but  they 
were  determined  to  find  some  gulf  where  fresh 
water  was  to  be  had,  and  left  Paria,  for  the  isle  of 
Margarita,  where  Ojeda  landed,  and  coasted  from 
place  to  place." 

"  This  shore  had  already  been  discovered  by  tha 
Admiral, who  knew  the  ground  and  mountain  ridges 
well,  in  fact  all  of  this  discovery  was  due  to  him,  as 
it  was  from  the  beginning  declared  to  the  King,  and 
yet  Ojeda  went  all  along  this  coast,  trading  for  gold 
and  pearls.  From  Margarita,  he  went  to  Cumana, 
and  Maraca-pana, which  is  two  hundred  and  seventy 
miles  from  the  island,  with  towns  all  along  the  sea- 
coast.  After  leaving  Cumana,  they  entered  a  large 
gulf,  which  was  suri'ounded  by  a  thickly  populated 
country,  but  a  river  flowed  into  it,  bringing  an  in- 
finite number  of  what  the  Spaniards  call  lizards,  and 
the  Indians  caymanes;  but  which  are  really  the 
crocodiles  of  the  Nile;  according  to  the  most  reliable 
information,  and  this  being  unfavorable  for  the 
ships  ;    they  anchored  in  Maraca-pana  (Amaraca),. 


44  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

<xnd  ivere  ivell  received,  and  served  as  if  they  ivere 
angels,  by  the  great  number  of  people  of  this  dis- 
trict." ""  We  discharged  the  ships'  cargoes  and  re- 
paired them,  aided  by  the  inhabitants.  We  re- 
mained here  thirty-six  days,  and  all  this  time;  the 
Inflians  treated  .us  to  their  bread,  venison,  fish;  and 
the  food  was  so  good;  that  ever  after,  vi^hen  we 
could  not  get  it,  we  wished  to  return  home." 

"During  this  time  they  went  inland  from  town  to 
town,  receiving  much  hospitality;  and  when  about 
to  return  to  Spain,  some  of  the  Indians  complained 
l)itterly  of  the  people  of  a  certain  isle,"  (the  Caribs) 
^'who  frequently  surprised  and  eat  them.  This  was 
related  so  vividly,  that  the  Spaniards  offered  to  re- 
taliate, although  refusing  to  accede  to  their  request 
to  be  permitted  to  join  them;  whereon  the  Indians 
insisted  on  accompanying  them  in  their  own  boats, 
unless  they  promised  to  return." 

"  During  the  first  week  after  their  departure, 
many  isles  were  discovered;  some  of  which  were  in- 
habited, and  observing  along  a  river,  four  hundred 
Indians — whose  bodies  were  painted  many  colors — 
armed  with  bows,  arrows,  and  shields,  they  proceeded 
towards  the  shore,  but  before  they  had  time  to 
land,  the  Indians  surrounded  the  boats  and  fired, 
to  which  the  Castilians  replied  with  guns  and  artil- 
lery, killing  many,  while  the  others  fled." 

"  The  natives  renewed  the  attack,  after  Ian  ding — 
fighting  courageously  for  two  hours, — but  the  guns 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  45 

were  too  much  for  them,  and  they  retired  to  the 
mountams." 

"  Next  morning,  fifty-six  Spaniards  landed,  and 
forming  four  hues, with  a  Captain  for  each,  made  the 
most  vigorous  attack  on  them — kilhng  an  immense 
number — until  they  finally  fled,  pursued  to  a  town 
where  twenty-six  were  captured  ;  but  one  Span- 
iard was  killed  and  twenty  were  wounded.  These 
people  were  the  Caribs;  whom  they  wished  to  pun- 
ish for  the  sake  of  their  good  friends,  and  having 
accomplished  their  object,  they  set  sail  homewards 
and  finally  reached  Spain." 

We  find  from  the  foregoing  history,  that  after 
searching  the  entire  coast,  the  only  place  where 
they  found  a  safe  harbour,  fresh  water,  good  food 
and  hospitality ;  was  Amaraca — which  probably 
accounts  for  its  having  been  the  first  settlement  on 
the  mainland  according  to  Baron  de  Humboldt. 

The  excitement  continued  unabated  in  Spain, 
where  several  expeditions  were  spoken  of.  The  gold 
and  pearls  sent  by  Columbus,  which  he  had  collected 
on  the  coast  of  Amaraca-pana,  had  caused  the  great- 
est curiosity,  and,  John  Eoderiquez  de  Fonseca,  who 
had  been  appointed  by  the  Crown,  receiver  of  appli- 
cations for  passports,  and  given  the  map  of  the 
coast  which  was  sent  by  the  Admiral  to  the  govern- 
ment; was  besieged  by  navigators  who  wished  to  see 
the  chart  of  the  country  where  these  treasures  had 
been  collected. 


46  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

Nina,  and  Guerra,  sailed  for  America  a  month 
after  Ojeda,  (navigating  as  he  did,  with  a  copy  of 
the  Admiral's  map;^)  and  arrived  on  the  coast  of 
^maraca-pana,  a  few  days  after  he  had  sailed.^ 

On  Ojeda's  return  to  Spain,  he  reported  the 
arrival  of  English  vessels,  and  got  permission  (1501), 
to  colonize  and  govern  at  his  own  expense,  the 
island  of  Coquivacoa.^  The  place  however,  as  shown 
on  our  map,  was  a  small  isthmus  and  not  an  isle. 

He  induced  Juan  de  Vergara,^  and  Garcia  de 
Ocampo  to  join  him,  and  provide  the  money.  They 
sailed  in  1502,  and  reaching  the  gulf  of  Paria,  traded 
along  the  coast  of  ^maraca-pana,  until  coming  to 
some  cultivated  land  in  a  beautiful  Valley,  which 
was  so  named  by  Ojeda^  and  also  spoken  of  as 
farmed  by  Columbus."  It  is  today  in  the  province 
of  Barcelona,  formerly  the  port  of  Amaraca-pana, 
for  which  the  pioneers  sailed,^  and  is  no  doubt  the 
place  referred  to  by  Sir  Walter  Ealeigh,  as  the 
"  bewtiful  valley  of  J.mer^oca  pana."*  Seizing  what- 
ever they  wanted  here  ;  while  Vergara  sailed  to 
Jamaica  for  provisions,  with  orders  to  join  the  fleet 
at  Maraca-ibo,  Ojeda,  selected  a  place  for  the  center 

1  Piedrahita  p.  316.    Navarrete,  Vol.  III.  -  Herrera. 

=  Navarrete  Coleccion,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  85  &  89.  "  Navarrete,  Vol.  III.,  p.  91. 

^  Navarrete,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  86.     «  Navarrete,  Vol.  I.,  p.  249.     '  Kohl  Maracapana. 

"  Sir  Walter  Keleigh.  "The  discoverie  of  the  large  &  bewtiful  Empire,  etc." 
Ojeda  said  that  the  natives  told  him  that  the  name  of  the  beautiful  valley  was 
Cumana.    In  the  American  language  (called  Quichua),  cumani,  means  beautiful.* 


*  Del  Canto.    Arte  y  vocabulario. 


\     -     5'    Wl 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  47 

of  his  .governorship,  calHng  it  "  Holy  cross,  "^  but  the 
natives  were  so  hostile  ;  that  food  could  not  be  col- 
lected in  the  neighborhood,  and  Vergara  returned 
with  only  a  small  supply  of  provisions,  while  the 
leading  Colonists— concluding  that  Ojeda  ;  who  had 
been  previously  to  these  places,  misrepresented  their 
advantages  or  rather  their  disadvantages — began 
quarrelling,  which  resulted  in  his  seizure  by  the  two 
partners  who  had  found  the  money — and  shipment 
to  Haiti. 

Columbus,  who  had  been  nearly  two  years  in 
Spain,  sailed  on  his  fourth  and  last  voyage  (9  May, 
1502),  with  his  brother  and  son,  to  find  the  land  of 
gold,  and  reaching  the  West  Indies  ;  steered  for  the 
hidden  treasures  towards  Mexico,  which  stopped  his 
passage,  as  they  only  found  a  gulf.  The  natives  told 
them  of  nations  still  further  west  abounding  in  gold 
and  copper.  An  old  Indian,— who  made  a  map  of 
the  coast — went  with  him,  and  landing  at  Hon- 
duras, they  heard  of  a  rich  and  populous  country 
over  the  mountains  ;  where  the  women  wore  pearls 
and  corals, — which  they  called  Eich  Coast  or  Costa 
Rico, — and  the  people  gave  him  the  gold  plates  they 
wore,  in  exchange  for  trinkets.  His  quaint  style  of 
letter,  written  to  their  Majesties  as  to  his  adventures 
on  this  voyage,  runs  thus: — "  When  I  was  young,  I 
had  many  hairbreadth  escapes  with  my  life.  I  arrived 
at  Cariay,  where  I  stayed  to  repair  the  ships  and 


1  Santa  Cruz. 


48  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

boats,  and  to  allow  our  people  to  rest,  as  they  were 
much  fatigued.  I,  as  I  say,  had  arrived  many  times 
at  the  door  of  death." 

"  Knowing  of  the  gold  mines  of  the  province  of 
Ciamba,  which  I  seeked,  I  took  two  Indians  with 
me  to  Cararabaru,  where  the  naked  people  wore 
gold  mirrors  around  their  necks,  hut  they  would  not 
sell  or  exchange  them ! " 

"  They  gave  me  the  names  of  many  places  on 
the  sea  coast,  where  they  said  there  were  mines. 
The  last  they  named  was  Veragua  which  is  far 
from  here,  about  250  miles,  I  left  with  the  intention 
of  trying  to  get  there  at  all  hazards,  and  arriving  at 
noon,  I  learned  that  they  had  mines  about  two  days^ 
journey,  but,  on  the  evening  of  St.  Simon  and  Judas, 
when  I  intended  going,  there  arose  in  the  night  so 
much  wind  and  sea;  that  I  had  to  run  the  ship  for 
wherever  I  could.  I  had  the  Indian  chief  of  the 
mines  always  with  me.  All  these  places  where  1 
have  been;  only  prove  to  me  what  I  have  heard  of 
them.  At  Ciguare,  tliey  say  they  have  no  end  of 
gold  ;  the  people  wearing  corals  on  their  heads, 
bracelets  to  the  feet,  and  on  their  arms;  and  plenty 
of  them.  Their  chairs,  boxes  and  tables  are  adorned 
with  them.  I  would  be  satisfied  to  see  the  tenth 
part  of  what  they  tell  me.  They  say  that  the  coast 
is  shallow  at  Ciguare,  and  at  ten  days'  sail  from 
there,  is  the  river  Ganges  !  "  (East  Indies.) 

Columbus    endeavored    to    make    the    national 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  49 

names  agree  with  the  Asiatic  places  mentioned  by 
Marco  Polo,  which  he  was  looking  for,  so  that— as 
may  be  observed  on  our  map— the  gold  mountains 
of  Ciamba^  appear  in  Asia,  and  also  in  America,-  and 
the  nearest  sea  port  to  them  is  Moraca-pana,^  which 
was  a  transformation  of  the  name  of  Amaraca-pana 
or  America;  in  order  to  give  it  some  resemblance  to 
Mangi  (see  map).  After  two  years  of  disappoint- 
ment in  his  search  for  Japan,  where  the  gold  grew; 
Columbus  sailed  for  Spain  (12  Sep.  1504),  with  a 
valuable  cargo;  although  not  laden  with  the  long 
expected  shipment  of  gold,  which  cooled  the  enter- 
prising spirit  of  intending  colonists  for  some  years. 

The  modern  description  of  Amaraca-pana,  agrees 
identically  with  the  history  of  it;  from  the  early 
colonists. 

It  is  now  the  province  of  Barcelona;*  one  of  the 
states  of  Venezuela,  divided  into  nine  cantons,  and 
bounded  on  the  north,  by  the  Carribean  Sea,  and 
by  the  river  Orenoco  on  the  south. 

Excepting  a  belt  of  hills  bordering  on  the  coast; 
where  there  are  excellent  arable  lands,  and  the  best 
plantations  in  the  state,  the  face  of  the  country  is 
composed  of  low  plains,  and  extensive  plateaus ; 
offering  fine  pasturage  for  cattle,  horses,  and 
mules.  ° 

1  ap.  Ptolemaeus,  1508.  =  jjavarrete  Vol.  I.  ^  ap.  Mercater,  1541. 

*  Kohl  Die  beiden  atlesten.  '^  Amer.  Encyclo. 


50  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

SIR  WALTER  RALEIGH  FINDS   THE  VALLEY  OF  AMERICA - 

PANA. 

As  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  is  the  only  author  who 
has — as  far  as  we  know — correctly  given  the  native 
name  of  the  coast  of  America,  first  visited  by  Colum- 
bus, we  will  recall  the  chief  incidents  of  his  extra- 
ordinary career,  up  to  the  period  of  this  voyage,  as 
evidence  of  experience;  which  ought  to  have  enabled 
him  to  get  the  best  information. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen,  Mr.  Ealeigh  left  Oriel 
College,  Oxford  (1569),  to  join  some  volunteers,  sent 
to  assist  the  French  huguenots.     Sometime  later,  he 
served  in  Holland,  and  on  returning  to  London ;  joined 
his  half-brother,  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  in  an  expe- 
dition (1578),  for  which  he  had  obtained  a  patent,  to 
establish  a  plantation  in  the  Western  world, — but  one 
of  the  ships  was  lost;  and  the  others  being  disabled  in 
an  engagement  with  the  Spaniards;  they  did  not  com- 
plete the  voyage.     Soon  after  his  return  to  London 
from  Ireland — where  he  was  in  command  of  a  regi- 
ment, sent  to  subdue  the  Desmond  insurrection — a 
courteous   deed — for  which    he   had  to   thank  the 
weather — led  him  toward  a  career  of  fame.      He 
had   observed   Queen   Elizabeth   approaching ;    and 
throwing  his  cloak  over  a  damp  part  of  the  foot- 
path so  that   Her  Majesty  might   proceed;  his  gal- 
lantry  was    rewarded    by  a  command    to  appear 
at  Court,   and   he   was    afterwards    commissioned 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


51 


attendant  on  the  French  ambassador,  before  being 
appointed  escort  to  the  Duke  of  Anjou.  ]\[r.  Ealeigh 
obtained  permission  for  another  expedition  west 
wards,  in  command  of  which,  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert 


^^ 


KALEIGH  SPREADING  HIS  MANTLE  BEFORE  THE  QUEEN. 


was  lost;  after  taking  possession  of  Newfoundland 
for  the  Crown.  Sending  soon  again,  they  discovered 
the  coast  which  he  called  after  the  Virgin  Queen 
(Virginia),  who  knighted  him. 

He  then  dispatched  colonists  (1585),  but  they  re- 


52 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 


turned  with  Sir  Francis  Drake,  introducing  the  first 
potato  and  tobacco  leaf  to  Europe,  and  drinking^ 
smoke— as  they  called  it — soon  became  fashionable. 
Ealeigh^  adopted  and  encouraged  its  use  in  Eng- 
land, and  very  soon  the  habit  became  so  widespread^, 
that  the  demand  exceeded  the  supply.  It  was 
the  staple  product  of  Virginia,  and  a  bond  of  union 


THE   WAGER  DECIDED. 


between  England  and  some  of  her  American  colonies,, 
as  well  as  a  source  of  much  revenue.  It  is  said  that 
Queen  Elizabeth  became  Raleigh's  apt  pupil  in  the 
art  of  smoking  tobacco.  One  day  while  Her  Majesty 
and  two  or  three  others  were  indulging  in  the  habit, 
Ealeigh  offered  a  wager  that  he  would  ascertain 
the  weight  of   smoke  that   should   issue  from   the 

1  Our  CoiXLtry,  Vul.  1,  p.  U9. 


^  mi 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  53 

Toyal  lips  in  a  given  time.  The  Queen  accepted 
the  challenge.  Ealeigh  weighed  the  tobacco  to  be 
put  in  the  pipe,  and  afterwards  the  ashes  that  re- 
mained in  it;  the  difference  being,  said  he,  the 
weight  of  the  smoke.  The  Queen,  laughing,  ac- 
knowledged that  he  had  won  the  wager,  and  said  he 
was  probably  the  first  alchemist  who  had  succeeded 
in  turning  smoke  into  gold. 

Two  years  later,  he  sent  another  expedition — was 
■created  Lieutenant-General  of  Cornwall,  Member 
of  the  Council  of  war,  and  placed  in  command  of 
the  army  stationed  at  the  Lands-end,  where  a  Spanish 
invasion  was  expected.  After  this,  commanding  a 
T-essel  of  his  own,  he  sailed  with  Sir  Francis  Drake's 
fleet  to  reinstate  the  King  of  Portugal,  whose  domin- 
ion was  seized  by  Spain,  claiming  the  right  of  suc- 
-cession  to  that  crown, — and  Raleigh  captured  some 
■of  the  Spanish  navy  en  route  to  invade  England, 
A  year  later,  he  commanded  a  fleet  of  thirteen 
vessels  (1590);  intending  to  seize  the  Spanish  West 
Indies,  and  took  the  most  valuable  Castilian  prize 
•ever  brought  to  Britain,  but  next  year  alas!  a  maid 
of  honor — whom  he  married  after  a  dreadful  flirta- 
tion— brought  him  banishment  from  Court,  and  two 
months  of  imprisonment;  where  he  planned  the  ex- 
pedition; of  which  he  wrote  a  work  on  his  return; 
and  from  this  we  subjoin  an  extract, 

Tlie  editor  of  the  edition  of  1841,  tells  us  that, 
■"  As  H.  M's  commissioner  to  survey  the  boundaries 


54  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

of  British  Guinea,  I  explored  in  1841,  that  wondrous 
delta  of  the  Orenoco.  I  traversed  the  regions  which 
Keymis  describes,  as  the  site  of  that  gordeous  capitol 
of  El  Dorado,  (Cundin-Amarca)  with  the  sealike 
lake  enlivened  by  its  multitudes  of  Canoes.  What 
wonder  therefore  that  I  should  read  Ealeigh's  de- 
scriptions— expressed  with  such  force  and  elegance 
— with  the  greatest  delight,"  Sir  Walter's  book 
was  written  in  1596,  and  is  entitled  "  The  discouerie 
of  the  large,  rich,  and  bewtiful  Empire  of  Guiana^ 
with  a  relation  of  the  greate  and  golden  citie  of 
Manoa,"  "performed  in  the  yeare  1595,  by  Sir 
Walter  Ealeigh." 

"  The  greate  and  golden  citie,  which  the  Span- 
yardes  call  El  Dorado,^  and  the  naturals  Manoa;  which 
Citie  was  conquered,  reedified,  and  inlarged,  by  a 
younger  sonne  of  Guainacapa,  Emperor  of  Peru,  at 
such  time  as  Francisco  Pizaro  and  others,  conquered 
the  saide  Empire  from  his  two  elder  brethren ;  both 
of  whom  contending  for  the  same,  the  one  beeing 
favored  by  the  oreiones"  of  Cuzco,  and  the  other  by 
the  people  of  Cax-Amalca  (America)." 

"  Wee  arriued  at  Trinidado  22  March,  casting 
ancour  at  Point  Curia-pa?^.  Wee  abode  there  four 
or  five  dales,  and  all  that  time,  came  we  not  to  the 
speach  of  the  Indian  or  Spaniard."  After  naming 
several  places  he  continues  : — 

"  Some  Spaniardes  come  abord  of  us  to  buy  lynnen 

^  The  golden.  ^  xhe  nobility. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  55 

of  the   company,   and  such   other  thinges  as  they 
wanted,  and  also  to  view  our  shippes  and  company, 
all  which  I  entertained  kindly,  and  feasted  after  our 
manner  :  by  meanes  whereof,  I  learned  of  one  and 
another,  as  much  of  the  estate  of  Guiana  as  I  could, 
or  as  they  knew,  for  these  poore  souldiers  having 
beene  many  j^eares  without  wine,  a  few  draughtes 
made  them  merry,  in  which  moode  they  vaunted  of 
Guiana  and  of  the  riches  thereof,  and  all  what  they 
knew  of  the  waies  and  passages,  my  selfe  seeing^ 
seeming  to  purpose,  nothing  less  then  the  enterance 
or  discoverie  thereof,  but  I  bred  in  them  an  opinion, 
that  I  was  bound  onely  for  the  relief e  of  those  En- 
glish, which  I  had  planted  in  Virginia,  whereof  the 
brute  was  come  among  them,  I  found  occasions  of 
staying  in  this  place  for  two  causes  :  the  one  was  to 
be  revenged  of  Berreo,   who,  the  yeare  before,   be- 
traied  8  of  Captaine  Whiddon's  men  :  in  whose  ab- 
sence Berreo  sent  a  canoa  aboard  the  pinnace,  only 
with  Indians  and  dogs,  inviting  the  company  to  goe 
with  them  into  the  wods  to  kil  a  deare,  who  like 
ivise  men  in  the  absence  of  their  captaine,  followed 
the   Indians,    but  were  no  sooner  one  harquebush 
shot  from  the  shore,  but  Berreo's  souldiers  lying  in 
ambush,  had  them  all,  notwithstanding  that  he  had 
given  his  worde   to  Captaine  Whiddon,   that  they 
should  take  water  and  wood  safelie  :  the  other  cause 
of   my  stay  was,   for,  that  by  discourse  with  the 
Spaniards,  I  daily  learned  more  and  more  of  Guiana, 


56  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

of  the  rivers  and  passages,  and  of  the  enterprise  of 
Berreo,  by  what  meanes  or  fault  he  failed/  and  how 
he  meant  to  prosecute  the  same." 

"While  we  thus  spent  the  time,  I  was  assured 
by  another  cassique  (chief )  of  the  north  side  of  the 
island,  that  Berreo  had  sent  to  Marguerita,  and  to 
Cumana  for  souldiers,  meaning  to  have  given  me  a 
''  cassado''^  at  parting,  if  it  had  bin  possible.  So  as 
both  to  be  revenged  of  the  former  wrong,  as  also 
considering;  that  to  enter  Guiana  by  small  boats,  to 
depart  400  or  500  miles  from  my  ships,  and  to  leave 
a  garison  in  my  backe,  interessed  in  the  same  enter- 
prize,  who  also  daily  expected  supplies  out  of  Spaine, 
I  should  have  savoured  very  much  of  the  Asse  :  and 
therefore  taking  a  time  of  most  advantage,  I  set 
upon  the  guard  in  the  evening,  and  having  put  them 
to  the  sword,  sent  Captaine  Calfeild  onwards  with 
60  souldiers,  and  my  selfe  followed  with  40  more, 
and  so  toke  their  new  city;  which  they  called  St. 
Joseph,  by  breake  of  day  :  they  abode  not  any  fight 
after  a  few  shot,  and  al  being  dismissed,  but  onely 
Berreo  and  his  companion,  I  brought  them  with  me 
abord,  and  at  the  instance  of  the  Indians,  I  set  their 
new  city  of  S.  Joseph's  on  fire.'' 

"  We  then  hastened  away  towards  our  purposed 
discouery,  and  first,  I  called  all  the  captaines  of  the 
iland  together,  that  were  ennemies  to  the  Spaniards, 

'  He  had  gotten  wp  an  expedition  with  700  horses  to  reach  the  golden  city  in 
the  Kingdom  of  Cundin-Amarca  where  he  lived.— Purehas  edn.  1614,  p.  1038. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  57 

and  by  my  Indian  interpreter,  made  them  under- 
stand that  I  was  a  seruant  of  a  Queene,  who  was  a 
great  Casique  of  the  North,  and  a  Virgin,  and  had 
more  Casiqui  under  her,  than  there  were  trees  in 
their  iland  :  and  that  she  was  an  enemy  "to  the 
Spaniards — in  respect  to  their  tyranny  and  oppres- 
sion, and  that  she  had  delivered  all  such  nations 
about  her,  as  were  by  them  oppressed,  and  having 
freed  all  the  coast  of  the  northern  world  from  their 
seruitude,  had  sent  me  to  free  them  also,  and  withal; 
to  defend  the  countrey  of  Guiana  from  their  invasion 
and  conquest.  I  shewed  them  her  maiestie's  picture, 
which  they  so  admired  and  honored,  as  it  had  beene 
easie  to  have  brought  them  idolatrous  thereof.  The 
like  and  a  more  large  discourse,  I  made  to  the  rest  of 
the  nations  in  my  j)assing  to  Guiana,  and  to  those 
of  the  borders.  This  done;  wee  returned  to  Curia- 
pan,  and  having  Berreo  my  prisoner,  I  gathered 
from  him,  as  much  of  Guiana  as  he  knewe." 

"  This  Berreo  is  a  Gent,  well  descended,  and  had 
long  serued  the  Spanish  King  in  Millain  (Milan), 
Naples,  the  lowe  countries  (Holland),  and  else  where, 
very  valiant  and  liberall,  and  a  Gent,  of  greate  as- 
surednes,  and  of  a  great  heart  :  I  used  him  accord- 
ing to  his  estate  and  worth  in  all  things  I  could,  ac- 
cording to  the  smalle  means  I  had."  Speaking  of 
the  supposed  treasures  of  Guiana,  Raleigh  says: — 
■"  Whatsoueuer  Prince  shall  possess  it,  shalbe  Lorde 
of  more  gold  and  a  more  beautifull  Empire,  and  of 


58  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

more  cities  and  people;  than  eyther  the  King- 
of  Spayne,  or  the  Greate  Turk.  Bat  because  there 
arrise  many  doubtes,  and  how  this  Empire  is  become 
so  populous,  and  adorned  with  so  manie  greate 
cities,  townes,  temples,  and  threasures,  I  thought 
good  to  make  it  knowen,  that  the  Emperor  now 
reigning,  is  descended  from  these  magnificent  Princes 
of  Peru,  of  whose  large  territories,  of  whose  pollicies, 
conquests,  edifices  and  riches,  manie  haA^e  written 
large  discourses  :  for  when  the  Spaniards  conquered 
the  saide  Empire  of  Peru,  and  had  put  to  death 
Atabahpa,^  which  had  formerly  caused  his  elder 
brother  Guascar^  to  be  slaine,  one  of  his  younger 
brothers  fled  out  of  Peru,  and  tooke  with  him  many 
thousands  of  those  souldiers  of  the  Empire,  called 
Oreiones  (noblemen),  and  with  these,  and  many 
others  which  followed  him,  he  vanquished  al  that 
tract  and  valley  of  America,"  situated  between  the 
rivers  Orenoco  and  Amazon." 


'  Atahualpa.  =  Huascar. 

3  In  Sir  Robt.  Schomburgk's  map;  attached  to  Raleigh's  work,  the  Valley  of 
Amerioca-pana,  is  between  the  rivers  referred  to,  but  the  name  America,  was 
given  to  the  mainland;  from  Amaraca  or  America — the  first  Spanish  settlement — 
whose  people  treated  them  "as  if  they  were  angels"  while  the  others  at- 
tacked them.  Many  authors;  nnawai-e  that  America  was  the  national  name  of  the 
Southern  Continent,  could  not  understand  the  Spanish  pioneers,  who  gave  this 
name  to  several  places  on  the  coast,  and  cartographers  hotly  disputed  the  question; 
as  to  which  was  correct,  without  finding  that  they  all  were*  The  coast  which 
Navarrcte  says,  Columbus  first  visited;  is  the  valley  of  America  of  Raleigh.  Pur- 
chas'  Edition  of  1614,  p.  836,  which  quotes  Lerius,  Starlius  and  others,  says  that  the 
Brazilians  have  a  Maraca  or  Tamaraka,  which  is  their  household  god.  On  the  same- 
page,  he  refers  to  Vespucci's  voyage  to  Brazil.  The  map  of  1508,  places  the  isle  of 
Tainaragua,  thousands  of  miles  away  from  Brazil  on  the  coast  of  Amaraca-pana.  In 

*  See  Kohl.  Maracapana. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  5^ 

At  another  part^  lie  writes  :  "  I  sent  Captaine 
Key  mis  with  six  shotte  to  goe  on,  and  to  march 
downe  the  saide  valley  as  farre  as  the  river  called 
Cumaca,"  where  I  promised  to  meet  him  againe,  and 
as  they  marched,  they  left  the  townes  of  Empare- 
pana,  and  Capure-pana,  on  the  righte  hande,  and 
marched  downe  the  saide  valley  of  Amsivioca-pana,. 
and  we,  returning  the  same  daie  to  the  river's  side^ 
sawe  by  the  way  many  rockes,  like  unto  golde  oare^ 
and  on  the  left  hand,  a  rounde  mountain  which  con- 
sisted of  minerall  stone." 

"  After  I  had  displanted  Don  Antonio  de  Berreo, 
(Spanish  Governor  of  Trinidad,)  who  was  on  the  same 

the  map  of  St.  Die,  where  the  proposition  emanated  to  call  America  after  Vespucci, 
an  isle  is  placed  beside  Tamaragua,  named  Isle  of  Brazil.  "We  observe  on  modern, 
maps,  the  isle  of  Maraca  near  the  month  of  the  Amazon  in  Brazil.  This  is  circum- 
stantial evidence,  that  the  St.  Die  people;  who  got  their  information  from  Vespucci,, 
had  heard  of  the  port  of  Amaraca-pana — where  Ojeda  was  so  hospitably  received, 
■when  Vespucci  was  with  him — and  also  of  the  Maraca,  or  Amaraka,  of  Brazil,  and  so- 
they  place  the  island  of  Amaraca  in  Brazil,  on  the  coast  of  Amaraca-pana — and  it 
was  evidently,  this  similarity  of  name  with  Amerigo — called  Morigo  by  Ojeda — 
that  led  them  to  suppose,  that,  the  name  came  from  him. 

The  Ptolemy  map  of  1524,  places  the  supposed  isle  of  Brazil,  in  the  Atlantic  ocean, 
nearer  to  England  than  America,  which  name  appears  on  the  Continent,  in  the- 
same  latitude  and  longitude*  as  Aymarca.  f  The  same  evidence  occurs  in  Ptolemy 
of  1535. 

The  name  of  the  Brazilian  god  Tamaraka;  explains  the  proximity  of  the  isles 
of  Brazil  and  Tamargua,  in  the  St  Die  map  of  1513. 

The  prophets  of  the  Brazilians  were  the  Caribs  t  whose  god  was  'Rna.-Amaracan. 

The  Ptolemy  map  of  1540, §  states  that  the  new  world  is  called  Brazil,  and' 
America;  and  they  also  place  it  in  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  the  native  district  of 
Aymaraca.  Then  comes  Mercater,  next  year,  who  places  the  name  of  America  over 
the  entire  continent. 

*  There  is  no  longitude  on  these  maps  but  we  take  that  of  Hayti;  which  is- 
placed  in  a  line  with  it. 

t  Hakluyt,  map  of  Peru. 

J  Purchas  ed.  1614  p,  896. 

§  Map  XVII.  "  Orbis,  Insula  Atlantica  quam  uocant  Brasilii  et  Americam." 

^  p.  99.  -  No  doubt  the  river  Cumana  on  the  Coast  of  Amaraca-pana. 


^Q  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

•enterprise,  leauing  my  ships  at  Trinedaclo,  I  wan- 
dered 400  miles  into  the  said  country,  by  land  and 
river.  The  country  hath  more  quantity  of  gold  by 
manifolde,  than  the  best  partes  of  the  Indies  or  Peru. 
The  King  of  Spaine  is  not  so  impoverished  by  taking 
three  or  four  townes  in  America  as  we  suppose, 
neither  are  the  riches  of  Peru,  or  Nueva  Espania,  so 
left  by  the  seaside,  as  it  can  be  easily  washt  awaie 
with  a  great  flood  or  spring  tide,  or  left  to  drie  upon 
the  sandes  on  a  lowe  ebbe,  and  we  might  thinke  the 
Spaniardes  verie  simple;  having  so  manie  horses  and 
slaues, (slaves)  that  if  they  coulde  not,  upon  two  dales' 
warning,  carrie  all  the  golde  they  have  into  the  land, 
and  farre  enough  from  the  reach  of  our  footmen, 
•especiallie  the  Indies;  being  so  mountainous,  so  full 
of  woods,  rivers,  and  mairshes.  If  we  take  the 
ports  and  villages  within  the  bay  of  Uruha  etc., 
they  have  golde  enough  to  paye  the  Kinge  part,  and 
are  not  easily  invaded  by  way  of  the  Ocean.  Peru 
liath  besides  those^  and  besides  the  magnificent  cities 
of  Quito,  and  Lima,  so  many  Islands,  ports,  cities, 
and  mines,  as  if  I  should  name  them  with  the  rest, 
it  would  seem  incredible  to  the  reader." 

"  The  first  that  ever  sawe  Manoa,  was  Johannes 
Martynes,^  master  of  the  munition  to  Ordace,  who 
departed  Spaine  with  six  hundred  soldiers  and  thirty 
horse,  who  arriving  on  the  coaste  of  Guiana,  was 

1  Many  authors  believe  Martynes'  story  to  be  an  invention,  but  the  gold  ob- 
tained at  Cax-amarca  looked  much  more  like  a  fable,  except  to  those  who  received  it. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  ^\ 

slane  in  a  mutany,  with  the  most  part  of  such  as 
fauoured  him,  as  also  of  the  rebelhoiis  part,  in  so- 
much  as  his  ships  perished,  and  few  or  none  re- 
tourned,  neither  was  it  certainly  known  what  be- 
came of  the  saide  Ordace,  untill  Berreo  (Governor 
of  Trinidad)  found  the  ankor  of  his  ship  in  the  river 
of  Orenoque,  but  it  was  supposed,  and  so  it  wa& 
written  by  Lopez,  that  it  was  on  the  seas,  and  of 
other  w^riters  diversely  conceived  and  reported,  and 
hereof  it  came,  that  Martynes  entred  so  far  within 
the  lande,  and  arrived  at  that  Citie  of  Inga,  the 
Emperor.  It  chanced  that  while  Ordace  with  his 
armies,  rested  at  the  port  of  Morequito,  by  some 
negligence,  the  whol  store  of  powder  provided  for 
the  service  was  set  on  fire,  and  Martynes,  haviug 
the  chief  charge,  was  condemned  by  the  generall 
Ordace  to  be  executed  forthwith,  but  Martynes 
being  much  fauoured  by  the  soldiers,  had  al  the 
meane  possible  procoured  for  his  life,  but  it  could  not 
be  obtained  in  other  sort  than  this;  that  he  shuld 
be  set  into  a  canoe  alone,  without  any  victual,  onely 
with  his  amies,  and  so  turned  loosse  into  the  great 
river,  but  it  pleased  God,  that  the  Canoe  was  carried 
down  the  streame,  and  that  a  certaine  of  the  Guiars 
met  it  the  same  evening,  and  having  not  at  any  time 
sene  any  christian,  or  any  man  of  that  coulour, 
they  caried  Martynes  into  the  lande  to  be  wondered 
at,  and  so  from  towne  to  towne,  untill  he  came  to 
the  great  Citie  of  Manoa,  the  seate  and  residence  of 


^2  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

Inga,  the  Emperor.  The  Emperor,  after  he  had 
beheld  him,  knew  him  to  be  a  christian,  (for  it  was 
not  long  before,  that  his  brethren,  Guascar  and  Ata- 
balipa  were  vanquished  by  the  Spanyards  in  Peru.) 
and  caused  him  to  be  lodged  in  his  pallace  and  well 
entertained,  he  lived  seven  moneths  in  Manoa,  but 
not  suffered  to  wander  into  the  countrey  anywhere. 
He  was  also  brought  thither  all  the  waie,  blindfold; 
led  by  the  Indians,  until  he  came  to  the  entrance  of 
Manoa  it  selfe,  and  was  fourteen  or  fifteen  dales  on 
the  passage,  he  avowed  at  his  death,  that  he  entered 
the  Citie,  and  that  they  then  uncovered  his  face,  and 
that  he  travelled  al  that  dale  til  night,  thorow  the 
Citie.  The  Spanyarde  Martynes  lived  seven  moneths 
in  Manoa;  and  began  to  understand  the  language  of 
the  countrie.  The  Inga  asked  him  whether  he  desired 
to  returne  to  his  own  countrey,  or  would  willingly 
abide  with  him,  but  Martynes,  not  desirous  to  stay, 
obtained  the  favour  of  the  Inga  to  depart,  with  whom 
he  sent  divers  Guianians  to  conduct  him  to  the  river 
of  Orenoco,  al  loden  with  as  much  golde  as  they  could 
Carrie,  which  he  gave  to  Martynes  at  his  departure, 
but  when  he  was  arriued  neere  the  river's  side,  the 
borderers  robbed  him  and  his  Guianians,  of  all 
the  treasure,  (the  borderers  being  at  that  time  at 
warres  with  Inga,  and  not  conquered),  excepting 
some  gold  and  pearls  they  had  in  bottles,  which  these 
thought  was  food." 

Further  on,  he  continues:— "We  sent  away  one 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  63 

of  our  pilots  to  seek  the  King  of  Aromaia.  The  King 
brought  us  plenty  to  eat.  He  had  walked  a  long 
way,  and  after  repast,  the  olde  King  rested  awhile  in 
a  little  tent  that  I  caused  to  be  set  up.  I  began  by 
my  Indian  interpreter,  which  I  carried  out  of  Eng- 
land, to  discourse  with  him,  and  ere  I  went  anie  far- 
ther, I  made  him  know  the  cause  of  my  comming 
thither,  whose  seruant  I  was,  and  that  the  Queen's 
pleasure  was,  I  should  undertake  the  voiage  for 
their  defence,  and  to  deliver  them  from  the  tyrannie 
of  the  Spaniardes.  Then  I  began  to  sound  the  olde 
man  as  touching  Guiana.  He  told  me  they  called 
themselve  Orenoqueponi,  (poni,  means  in  Macusa^ 
language,  upon),  and  that  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Emeria  Mountains,  there  was  a  large  plain,  (which  I 
after  discouered  on  my  returne,)  called  the  A^allej'-  of 
^??iarzoca-pana." 

"To  Francis  Sparrow,  I  gave  instructions,  if  it 
were  possible,  to  go  on  to  the  great  Citie  of  Manoa. 
I  was  informed  of  one  of  the  Cassiques  (chiefs)  of 
the  Valley  of  -4.??^ar^ocopana,  which  had  buried  with 
him,  a  little  before  our  arrival,  a  chaire  of  golde 
most  curiously  w^rought." 

1  He  probably  means  Muysoa;  the  name  given  to  the  Chibchi  royal  race  of  the 
Kingdom  of  Cundin-Amaraca. 


64  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

THE  GOLDEN  CASTLES  MOUNTAINS,  ON  THE  COAST  OF 
AMAKACA,  THE  FIRST  SPANISH  SETTLEMENT  IN  THE 
WESTERN    HEMISPHERE. 

The  Spaniards  thought  that  each  island  was  at 
last,  the  famous  place  where  the  gold  grew,  but 
one  by  one  these  gilded  dreams  were  doomed  to  dis- 
appointment, which  cooled  the  ardour  of  the  enter, 
prising  spirits  of  Spain,  and  it  was  not  until  a  valu- 
able cargo  was  brought  home  by  dela  Cosa^who 
had  sailed  again  in  1507 — that  the  idea  of  colonization 
was  revived.  Ojeda ;  who  had  been  unceremoniously 
exported  by  his  partners  of  the  former  expedition, 
wished  to  try  his  fortune  again,  and  so  did  Diego  de 
Nicuesa,  both  of  whom  the  Crown  appointed  joint 
Governors  for  four  years;  with  the  right  to  colonize 
the  mainland  from  Cape  Gracias  a  Dios,  to  Cape  dela 
Yela;"  the  jurisdiction  of  each;  being  divided  by  the 
gulf  of  Darien  (Uruba).  The  territory  of  Ojeda, 
was  to  the  east  of  the  gulf,  to  be  known  as  New 
Andalusia — after  a  Spanish  province — while  Nicuesa 
had  the  western  side,  which,  for  the  first  time,  ap- 
peared under  the  name  of  "  Golden  Castles,""  on  the 
Coast  of  Amaraca^  or  America,  and  the  fertile  island 
of  Jamaica  was  to  be  the  joint  granary.  The  Gov- 
ernors were  to  be  free  of  tax,  with  the  right  to  en- 
gage four  hundred  settlers,  and  two  hundred  miners 


1  See  map.  2  Herrera. 

3  Codazzi  map  &  Humboldt's  Relations  Historiques,  Vol.  I,  p.  32i. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


65 


at  Haiti,  where  they  met  to  complete  arrange- 
ments; but  a  quarrel  arose,  each  claiming  Darien, 
wh|'  )re  the  river  was  finally  agreed  upon  as  the  divid- 
ing line.     The  son  of  the  late  Admiral  Columbus — 


OJEDA   CUTTING   HIS   WAY   THEOUGH   THE    INDIAN   RANKS. 

then  Governor  of  Haiti — prevented  the  possibility 
of  any  dispute  about  Jamaica,  by  sending  an  agent 
to  take  possession  of  it  for  himself;  and  he  refused  to 
permit  anyone  to  join  their  expedition,  Ojeda,  ob- 
tained the  assistance  of  Enciso,  a  wealthy  lawyer 


66  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

who  had  made  a  fortune  at  his  profession  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  having  appointed  him  Lieutenant 
oi  ui..  "'"•  forest;  Sdiled  to  take  possession  of  it,  (12 
Nov.,  1509)  with  Juan  dela  Cosa  and  three  hundred 
men;  landing  in  the  harbor  of  Cartagena,  where  they 
had  a  disastrous  engagement  with  the  natives;  who 
used  poisoned  arrows,  killing  sixty-nine  colonists  in- 
cluding the  pilot  Cosa. 

Nicuesa  arrived  soon  after,  and,  joining  forces; 
defeated  the  natives,  recovering  the  body  of  de  la 
Cosa,  which  they  found  suspended  to  a  tree,  swollen,, 
and  disfigured  by  the  poison. 

After  this,  both  Governors  sailed  for  their  re- 
spective forest  principalities;  Nicuesa,  toward  the 
mountainous  district,  to  be  known  as  "Golden 
Castles,"  the  nearest  point  being  at  the  harbour  of 
Amaraca-jDana;  while  Ojeda  sailed  along  the  gulf  of 
Pan-ama,  looking  for  gold,  slaves,  and  food,  but  the 
poisoned  arrows  soon  drove  them  within  the  fort 
which  they  had  fortunately  built.  The  Governor 
waited  in  vain  for  the  return  of  a  ship,  which  had 
been  sent  to  Haiti  for  provisions  and  recruits;  until 
Talavera  arrived — a  Spanish  pirate — with  whom  he 
sailed,  and  was  wrecked  at  Cuba,  finally  reaching 
Haiti,  after  terrible  suffering;  only  to  find  that  a  ves- 
sel had  just  left;  with  all  that  was  necessary,  com- 
manded by  Enciso— the  Lieutenant-Governor  whom 
he  had  appointed,  who  took  charge,  which  was  a 
small    responsibihty,    as    Pizarro— afterwards    the 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  57 

famous  Governor  of  Peru — was  left  in  command  by 
Ojeda,  with  instructions;  that  if  he  did  not  hear  from 
him  within  fifty  days,  to  return  to  Haiti  with  the  re- 
maining colonists,  who — by  suffering  and  privation 
— had  so  diminished,  that  there  was  ample  room  for 
them  in  two  little  vessels;  one  of  which  was  struck 
by  a  fish,  and  foundered  with  all  hands,  after  leaving 
the  port  which  Enciso  now  entered,  to  see  his  store 
ship  strike  the  rocks,  losing  all  the  provisions;  the 
crew  barely  escaping.  Enciso, — much  to  his  aston- 
ishment— had  found  Balboa  on  board  his  vessel 
after  leaving  Haiti;  having  so  carefully  concealed 
himself,  that  he  was  not  seen  by  the  government 
officers,  whose  duty  it  was  to  search  every  departing 
vessel  for  absconding  debtors, — one  of  whom,  was 
this  bankrupt  farmer. 

Enciso  made  friends  with  the  poisoned  arrow 
warriors,  but  Balboa  advised  the  colonists  to  cross  the 
gulf  of  Darien,  where  there  were  no  such  heroes  to 
be  found .  They  moved  safely,  drove  the  natives  from 
their  village,  and  settling  there,  called  the  place 
"  Santa  Maria  del  Antigua  del  Darien."  In  many  of 
their  towns;  the  only  thing  to  be  found  was  the  name, 
but  here,  they  had  also  gold,  and  provisions,  in  abun- 
dance. G  overnor  Enciso,  — having  declared  it  unlaw- 
ful for  private  people  to  trade  with  the  natives  for 
gold — was  deposed;  the  new  colony — as  Balboa  said 
— being  within  Governor  Nicuesa's  province,  so 
that  he  had    no    authority — whereon  a  municipal 


68  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

government  was  formed,  with  Balboa  and  Zamudio 
as  Mayors,  whom  the  people;  after  electing,  disobeyed, 
and  divided  into  sections,  shortly  before  the  arrival  of 
Comenares,  who  had  been  been  left  in  Haiti,  with  in- 
structions to  follow  with  provisions,  and  he  persuaded 
them  all  to  join  Nicuesa,  who — after  leaving  Ojeda 
— sailed  for  his  principality,  was  wrecked  on  the 
banks  of  a  large  river,  and  only  arrived,  after  having 
suffered  severely.  Threatening  punishment  on  those 
who  had  been  trading  in  his  province,  they  refused  to 
join  him,  and  moved  to  Pan-ama;  from  which  the 
ships  were  afterwards  destined  to  sail,  carrying  the 
Conquerors  of  CsiX-Amcuxa  and  its  millions.  The 
last  record  of  Ojeda,  was,  as  witness  against  the  pir- 
ate Talavera  (1511-13-15,)  who  was  hung,  but  what 
became  of  the  unfortunate  Governor  after  this,  is  yet 
unknown. 

THE  ROAD  WHICH  LED  TO   THE   CONQUEST   OF  AMARACA 
AND   TWENTY  MILLIONS. 

Forty  leagues  from  Pan-ama,  lived  Comogre, — the 
Chief  of  a  district  bearing  his  name — whom  Balboa 
and  other  Spaniards  went  to  visit,  and  were  much 
surprised  at  the  comfort  of  his  palace — which  was 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long,  eighty  feet  wide, 
and  a  similar  height.  The  interior  floors  and  ceilings 
of  its  numerous  apartments  were  exquisite,  includ- 
ing a  granary,  cellars,  and  a  room  reserved  for  the 
mummies  of  the  Chief's  ancestors.  Comogre  received 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


69 


his  visitors  hospitably;  presenting  them  with  seventy 
slaves,  and  four  thousand  pesos  of  gold,  which  the 
Spaniards  began  to  weigh;  in  order  to  separate  the 
fifth  part  for  the  King  of  Spain,  when  a  quarrel 
arose  between  them.  The  Chief's  eldest  son,  struck 
the  scales  vvith  his  hand,  and  as  the  gold  fell,  he 


:l  . 


2-       X* 

DISCOVERY   OF  THE   PACIFIC. 


asked  them,  "What  is  this,  Christians;  is  it  for  such 
a  trifle  that  you  quarrel  ?  If  you  have  such  a  love 
of  gold,  that  you  disturb  our  peaceful  nations  to 
obtain  it,  and  suffer,  and  banish  yourselves  from 
your  own  lands,  I  will  show  you  a  country,  where 
you  may  be  satisfied  "  as  he  pointed  southwards,  say- 


70  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

iiig,  that  if  they  would  cross  the  mountains,  they  could 
see  people,  who  had  ships  as  large  as  their  own,  and 
drank  out  of  golden  vases,  which  were  as  abundant 
as  their  Spanish  iron  was.'" 

Soon  after,  Balboa,  ascending  the  mountains  be- 
tween the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  Oceans,  cried  out, 
"that  he  claimed  the  imknown  land  for  the  King 
of  Castile,  and  would  contest  his  rights  with  chris- 
tian or  heathen  daring  to  dispute  it." 

After  taking  possession,  of  the  country  in  his 
own  way,  he  called  one  hundred  and  fifty  followers, 
who  had  been  commanded  not  to  ascend  the  moun- 
tain summit  until  he  had  discovered  the  great  ocean 
— and  entering  the  water,  claimed  that  also. 

There  had  been,  however,  so  many  disappoint- 
ments, that  the  pioneers  began  to  move  more  cau- 
tiously, and  it  was  some  years  (1515,)  before  any 
special  attempt  was  made  on  the  Pacific;  when  Pi- 
zarro  and  another,  were  selected  by  the  Colony 
at  Pan-ama,  to  trade  with  the  natives,  and  much 
later  still  C24th  November,  1524)  was  it,  when 
he,  with  three  others,  got  up  an  expedition;  and 
leaving  with  a  hundred  men,  arrived  in  the  river 
Biru,  only  to  find  swamps,  from  which  they  sailed, 
short  of  provisions,  meeting  hurricanes,  with  a 
leaky  ship,  and  being  obliged  to  return,  landed, 
sending  the  vessel  home  for  food.  Here,  in  the 
swamps,   the  dauntless  Spaniards  looked    heaven- 

1  Las  Casas,  ap.  Helps.        2  See  Prescott's  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


71 


wards  for  protection  from  the  wild  animals  which 
attacked  them  at  night,  or  the  poisonous  fruit  that 
hunger  tempted  them  to    eat  during  day,  which 


VASCO   NUNEZ  DE  BALBOA   TAKING    POSSESSION   OF    THE    PACIFIC   OCEAN. 

carried  off  twenty  of  the  little  band  within  a  few 
weeks,  until  fate;  taking  pity  on  them,  pointed  out  a 
little  restaurant,  by  a  light  in  the  woods,  which  they 


A"" 


%<^ 


#   W 


«  4 


72  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

followed  promptly,  almost  entering  an  Amaracan 
village,with  the  native  who  unluckily  carried  it,  whose 
townsmen  hastily  fled,  as  the  Spaniards  heartily  fed; 
for  the  first  time  during  several  w^eeks.  The  citizens 
— wearing  large  gold  ornaments — returned  to  in- 
quire, why  they  did  not  remain  at  home,  to  till  their 
own  lands,  instead  of  roving  about  to  pillage  those 
who  had  never  injured  them  ?  and  spoke  of  a  rich 
nation  over  the  southern  mountains  at  ten  days' 
march,  where  a  powerful  sovereign  once  reigned, 
until  his  kingdom  was  captured  by  the  child  of  the 
sun.     (Quito  taken  by  the  King  of  Amaraca.) 

The  Spaniards  had  now  more  than  hope  to  live 
on,  until  their  vessel  returned;  when  they  sailed 
southwards  in  search  of  golden  dreams,  landing  at 
several  places,  where  some  of  them  fell  before  an 
attack  by  the  natives,  yet,  they  secured  sufficient 
gold  to  send  home;  with  a  report  to  the  Governor 
of  Pan-ama,  w^hen  Almagro — a  friend  of  Pizarro's — 
succeeded  in  forming  an  expedition  of  three  ves- 
sels, which  resulted  in  a  celebrated  agreement;  both 
giving  all  their  property  as  security  to  Padre  Luque; 
who  advanced  $20,000  (10th  March,  1526),  on  behalf 
of  a  friend — all  receiving  an  equal  division  of  profits, 
which  the  Government  assented  to,  and  finally,  they 
signed  the  famous  contract — tw^o  citizens  acting  for 
Almagro  and  Pizarro, — who  couldn't  write — three 
more  witnessed  it,  and  after  all  had  received  holy 
communion  with  the  greatest  devotion,  they  took 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


73 


an  oath  on  the  bible  to  carry  out  their  contracts;  be- 
fore sailing  with  the  three  vessels,  one  hundred  and 
sixty  men,  horses,  guns,  stores,  and  proceeding 
south,  they  landed  with  a  number  of  soldiers  on  the 
banks  of  a  well-populated  river,  capturing  some 
nativ^es,  and  a  large  quantity  of  gold  ornaments; 
which  were  immediately  sent  to  Pan-ama  to  in- 
duce further    colonists,   as  the   native  population 


A   NATIVE   AMERICAN   SHIP.      FROM   A   SKETCH   IN   HUMBOLDT'S  ATLAS. 

was  so  large — to  whom  their  arrival  was  known  all 
along  the  coast.  During  the  voyage,  an  apparition 
bewildered  them,  until  it  was  found  to  be  a  native 
Amarican  ship,  which  was  the  first  vessel  ever  seen; 
with  the  movable  centerboard-keel,  so  eminently 
characteristic  of  the  yachts  of  their  successors. 
These  vessels  are  still  the  native  conveyance  on  the 
lakes  and  distant  rivers  and  territories.     The  craft 


74  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

which  they  met,  was  a  coasting  merchant  vessel, 
carrying  gold  and  silver  ornaments. 

Two  Merchants  told  the  Spaniards,  that  gold  and 
silver,  was  as  common  as  wood,  in  the  palaces  of 
their  Kingdom,  which  was  further  south ;^  but  sev- 
eral colonists  had  written  unfavorable  reports  to 
Pan-ama,  and  the  Governor  ordered  the  vessels 
home,  but  Pizarro, — refusing  to  obey — sent  for 
aid,  while  he  and  those  faithful  to  him,  remained 
seven  months  on  a  small  isle,  before  they  returned 
to  sail  away  to  Tumbez,  whose  Curaca  (chief),  sent 
them  by  boat  on  their  arrival  there;  bananas,  cocoa- 
nuts,  Indian  corn,  sweet  potatoes,  game,  and  fish. 
The  Spaniards  were  astonished  at  the  splendor  of 
this  place,  whose  people;  calling  them  children  of 
the  Sun,  were  very  hospitable,  while  an  African 
servant,  caused  an  unlimited  amount  of  fun  among 
the  natives,  in  their  fruitless  and  indefatigable  at- 
tempts to  rub  the  black  off  his  face. 

After  coasting  along  the  Pacific,  they  returned 
here,  where  some  of  the  Spaniards;  falling  in  love 
with  the  ladies,  the  agreeable  manners  of  the  people, 
and  the  comfort  and  cleanliness  of  the  place,  begged 
to  be  allowed  to  remain — which  was  granted — while 
some  of  the  Amaricans  (Peruvians)  joined  the  ships, 
to  learn  Spanish. 

All  these  expeditions — though  full  of  expectation 
— had  so  far,  only  resulted  in  loss;  and  as  the  Gov- 

1  See  Prescott's  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


70 


ernment  now  prohibited  them,  Pizarro  returned  to 
Spain,  and  next  year  (26th  July,  1529),  the  Emperor 
Charles  V,  being  satisfied  with  his  dazzling  prom- 


PADRE  LUQDE  INSTRUCTING  A  NATIVE. 


ises;  appointed  him  Governor  and  Captain-General 
of  the  Pacific  coast,  Padre  Luque,  bishop,  and 
Almagro,  governor  of  Turabez,      In  order  to  get 


76  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

as  many  colonists  as  possible  to  join  him,  Pizzara 
related  everywhere,  the  wonderful  stories  of  the 
golden  land,  during  this  visit,  and  they  were  re- 
peated throughout  the  dominions  of  his  Sovereign; 
the  King  of  Spain  and  Emperor  of  Germany,  one  of 
whose  friends,  the  great  German  mercantile  house 
of  Velsers,  got  authority — during  the  year  that 
Pizarro  had  returned, — to  found  cities,  and  to  mine, 
in  the  mountains  called  "golden  castles"  on  the 
coast  of  Aniaraca-pana.  Their  people,  landing  in 
the  Orenoco,  as  Sir  Walter  Ealeigh  had  done,  settled 
at  Amaracapana,  from  which  place,  the  German 
Federmann  led  an  expedition  to  Bogota,  in  search  of 
its  treasures  in  1531,  while  another  marched  across 
the  Andes,  commanded  by  Quisada,  from  Quito,  on 
the  Pacific,  and  a  third,  under  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernor of  Popayan,  all  of  whom  accidentally  met 
there  ;^  but  they  did  not  find  the  gold,  though 
Quisada  sent  expedition  after  expedition  for  years, 
in  search  of  it.  Federmann  returned  to  his  dis- 
trict, of  which  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  speaks: — "Be- 
yond us  lay  another  towne,  towards  the  south,  in 
the  Valley  of  ^mer/oca-pana,  which  beareth  the 
name  of  the  said  Valley,  whose  plaines  stretch 
themselves  some  sixty  miles  in  length,  east  and 
west,  as  fayre  ground,  and  as  bewtifuU  fieldes,  as 
any  manne  hath  ever  scene,  with  divers  copses  scat- 
tered heere  and  there,  by  the  rivers  side,  and  all  as 

1  The  capitol  of  Cundin-Amarca,  Piedrahita. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  77 

full  of  deere,  as  any  forest  or  parke  in  England,  and 
in  every  lake,  and  river,  the  like  abundance  of  fish 
and  fow^le,  of  which  Irra-parra-gota  is  Lord."^ 

PizaiTO,  arriving  again,  crossed  over  to  Pan- Ania; 
and  returned  (Jan.  1531)  to  Tumbez,  where  they  re- 
mained five  months,  before  marching  to  Cassa- 
Amaraca,  the  capitol  of  the  Empire.  On  the  way, 
they  stopped  at  Caxas,  where  messengers  from  the 
King  had  arrived,  with  an  invitation  to  visit  him, 
and  a  present  of  two  stone  fountains  in  the  form  of 
forts,  some  woollen  stuffs  embroidered  with  gold  and 
silver,  and  a  quantity  of  perfume  powder  used  by 
the  native  nobility. 

Proceeding  onwards,  Pizarro  heard  from  a  govern- 
ment officer,  that  the  Sovereign — who  had  a  large 
army  with  him — was  at  Pult-^wmraca,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  mountains,  where  he  was  enjoying  the 
royal  sulphur  baths — which  are  still  known  as  "Baths 
of  the  King."  Continuing  their  march,  another  envoy 
met  them,  with  more  royal  presents,  and  a  week 
later,  they  were  in  the  valley  of  Cassa-^wmrca, 
where  the  woollen  dresses,  neatness,  cleanliness,  and 
superiority  of  the  people  and  their  residences,  very 
much  surprised  them;  as  they  gazed  in  wonder  from 
the  mountain  side,  at  miles  of  streets  and  roads, 
forming  the  City  of  Cassa-Amarca."  The  Spaniards 
would  have  given  a  good  deal,  to  be  on  the  other  side 

1  Here  we   have  Cumana,   meaning  beautiful,  the   Val-fermosa— or  beautiful 
Valley  of  Ojeda  and  cultivated  district  referred  to  by  Columbus. 

2Haklugt  Vol.  4.     See  Prescott's  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru. 


78  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

of  the  mountain  which  they  had  just  left,  but  they 
were  here,  and  it  was  too  late  to  look  back.  It  was 
however,  fortunate  for  them,  that  the  King  was 
carrying  on  an  important  war  at  that  moment,  and 
had  only  concluded  the  conquest  of  his  brother's 
kingdom,  a  few  months  previously. 

Near  the  camp,  was  a  stone  fortress,  and  an  im- 
mense square,  surrounded  by  low  buildings,  con- 
taining large  rooms  with  entrances  opening  towards 
it;  apparently  barracks. 

Another  stone  cut  fort,  surrounded  by  three  wide 
circular  walls  of  great  strength,  was  built  on  a  hill 
commanding  the  City,  which  they  now  (15  Nov.  1532), 
entered.  The  walls  of  the  royal  palace, — in  front  of 
which,  was  a  large  fountain  of  hot  and  coldw^ater — 
were  of  glittering  plaster  of  many  colors.  Nobles 
festively  attired,  in  waiting  on  the  King,  filled  the 
Court.^ 

Pizarro's  brother  rode  up  to  the  Monarch,  with  an 
escort,  and  using  spurs,  caused  his  horse  to  prance 
and  rear,  which  appeared  to  awe  them;  the  natives 
never  having  seen  one." 

"  Hearing  of  his  great  victories,"  said  he,  "  they 
had  come,  as  the  subjects  of  a  mighty  Sovereign,  far 
beyond  the  waters,  to  offer  their  swords  and  the 
doctrines  of  the  true  faith." 

The  Child   of  the   Sun,  did  not   condescend  to 

1  Cieza  de  Leon  ap.  Hakluyt.    See  Prescott's  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru. 
2Purcha8  Edo.  1614,  p.  1058. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  7^ 

answer,  or  to  look  at  them,  but  one  of  his  nobles  re- 
plied; "  Very  good." 

Pizarro,  fearing  that  appearances  were  not  so 
"  very  good,"  demanded  a  reply  from  the  Monarch; 
whoaugustly  smiling,  said:  "  Inform  your  Captain, 
that  I  am  keeping  a  fast,  which  will  finish  to  morrow; 
when  I  shall  visit  him  with  my  Court,  and  order 
preparations  for  his  reception;  but  until  then,  he  may 
occupy  the  public  buildings  in  the  Square." 

The  Spaniards,  before  riding  away,  were  offered 
some  of  the  sparkling  chicha,  in  immense  golden 
vases,  which  was  served  by  the  brunette  beauties  of 
the  harem.  On  the  following  day,  towards  noon, 
they  observed  an  immense  procession  advancing, 
which  looked  so  formidable,  that  Pizarro  dis- 
patched an  envoy  to  the  King,  with  an  invita- 
tion for  supper, — adding,  that  he  could  not  receive 
him  then — to  which  the  Monarch  sent  his  accept- 
ance, stating  that  he  would  come,  escorted  only  by 
a  few  unarmed  courtiers.^  The  Amaru  palace  was 
ordered  to  be  prepared,  and  before  sunset,  hundreds 
of  servants  were  busily  dusting  it,  while  singing  a 
truly  diabolical  chorus.  When  these  had  gone, 
others  entered,  in  liveries  of  white,  or  checkered  with 
red;  the  former  carrying  maces  of  silver' or  copper. 
The  life-guards  and  gentlemen  of  the  royal  house- 
hold, wore  skyblue,  with  many  decorations,  and 
towards  evening,  they  surrounded  the  King,  who,— 

1  Las  Casas.  ap.  Helps. 


so  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

wearing  a  collar  of  emeralds,  of  colossal  size — was 
seated  on  a  golden  throne  of  immense  value,  in  a 
sedan;  carried  by  four  men,  the  palanquin  of  which 
was  hned  with  beautiful  tropical  feathers,  and 
plates  of  pohshed  silver  and  gold.  Thousands  of 
people  accompanied  the  King,  who  asked,  where  the 
Spaniards  were;  as  they  did  not  appear,  the  fact 
being,  that  the  Castilians  felt,  as  if  they  had  walked 
into  the  lion's  mouth.  In  response  to  the  Monarch's 
question,  a  friar^  with  bible  and  crucifix;  saying  that 
he  came  to  announce  the  true  faith,  asked  the  King- 
to  acknowledge  it,  and  to  become  a  subject  of  Charles 
V,  but  the  Sovereign  answering — with  flashing  eyes 
—said;  that  being  greater  then  any  earthly  prince,  he 
would  not  submit,  or  change  his  faith,  while  he 
asked  the  friar — who  pointed  in  answer  to  the  bible 
— what  right  he  had  to  speak  so.  The  Monarch,  taking 
the  Testament,  looked  at  several  pages,  before  throw- 
ing the  book  on  the  ground,  and  while  the  Monk 
picked  it  up  exceedingly  scandalized,  he  sent  a  mes- 
sage to  Pizarro,  that  he  would  be  sorry  for  his  con- 
duct before  leaving.  Pizarro,  only  saw  one  course 
— it  was  life  or  death — the  supreme  moment  had 
arrived — and  the  Spaniards — who  were  ready — 
hearing  the  stentorian  Castilian  voice  of  the  old  war- 
cry,  "  St.  laga-  and  at  them,"  jumped  on  their 
horses,  charging  right  and  left,  as  the  unfortunate 
people,  nobles,  and  soldiers,  were  ridden    over  by 

1  Purchas  Ed.  1614,  p.  1059.  2  St.  James. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  gl 

the  Spanish  cavahy.  They  had  never  heard  the 
report  of  a  gun,  which  now  rumbled  through  the 
valley  like  incessant  thunder,  while  the  blinding 
smoke  and  intrepid  cavalry,  now  seen  for  the  first 
time,  stupified  them,  as  they  gazed  panic-stricken 
on  their  countrymen,  falling  in  hundreds  from  some 
invisible  cause,  for  no  arrow  had  touched  them. 

The  nobles  stood  like  living  shields  before  the 
King,  as  targets  in  front  of  the  guns,  contesting 
the  honor  of  filling  the  constantly  broken  ranks  of 
those,  who—  falling  over  each  other — made  a  dying 
barrier  around  their  Monarch,  until  his  capture  and 
all  was  over.  Immense  booty  in  gold  and  silver 
was  found.  The  Government  warehouses  of  the 
city  of  Cassa-^l???a?Ta,  were  so  full  of  cotton  and 
woollen  goods — beautifully  dyed  in  various  colors, 
and  of  exceedingly  fine  texture — that  the  immense 
quantity  taken  by  the  Spaniards,  did  not  make  any 
perceptible  difference.^ 

The  King;  fearing  that  his  brother — whom  he  had 
imprisoned  in  the  fortress  of  And-^4marca  since  the 
annexation  of  his  Kingdom,  might  now  escape  and 
seize  the  Crown — began  to  negotiate  with  Pizarro 
for  his  liberty.  Sitting  one  day  in  a  room  of  the 
Amaru  palace,  the  Sovereign  offered  to  cover  the 
floor  with  gold,  if  they  would  agree  to  release  him, 
but  the  Spaniard  made  no  reply  to  this  mild  sugges- 
tion.    The  captive  Monarch  arose,  and  reaching  to- 

iPurchas  Edn.  IGU,  p.  1059. 


82  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

wards  the  ceiling  as  high  as  he  could,  offered  to 
fill  the  room  so  far  with  gold.^ 

The  Spaniards  were  thunderstruck,  but  Pizarro; 
drawing  a  red  line  along  the  wall,  sent  for  a  notary, 
wiio  recorded  the  acceptance  of  the  offer;  on  condi- 
tion, that  an  adjoining  room,  be  filled  twice  with 
silver  within  two  months. 

The  King  then  sent  couriers  to  Cuzco  and  other 
cities;  requesting  that  the  gold  ornaments  and  serv- 
ices of  the  royal  palaces,  be  sent  to  Cassa-Amarca, 
w'hich  soon  began  to  arrive  ;  some  of  the  massive 
gold  plates  weighing  seventy-five  pounds.  From 
Cuzco  alone,  came  two  hundred  loads  of  gold  ;  con- 
sisting of  goblets,  salvers,  vases,  of  every  shape  and 
size,  sacred  ornaments,  and  palatial  decorations,  tiles, 
cornices,  plates,  and  animal  statuary  of  solid  gold. 

Almagro  now  arrived  opportunely — and  they  all 
called  for  a  division  of  booty,  many  wishing  to 
return  home  with  their  portions,  while  others  de- 
sired to  march  in  search  of  more,  and  after  the 
native  goldsmiths  had  worked  day  and  night  for  a 
month,  melting  the  entire  quantity  into  standard 
bars,  so  that  it  could  be  divided;  the  money  value, 
was  over  fifteen  millions,  a  result  unparalleled  in 
the  annals  of  history .- 

1  Another  account  says,  tliat  Pizarro  was  in  communication  with  both  Kings; 
who  vied  with  each  other  in  offering  ransom  for  liberty,  and  that  Huascar  oflered 
to  treble  the  iiuantlty  of  gold  promised  by  Atahuallpa,  if  they  would  release  him. 
Purchas  Edn.  1014  p.  1060. 

-  Lopez  ap  Raleigh,  p.  14,  "  They  founde  iiftie  and  two  thousand  markes 
of  good  siluer,  and  one  million  and  three  hundred,  twentie  and  sixe  thousand  and 
fine  hundred  pesos  of  golde." 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  83 

News  ari'ived  from  And- JL7« area,  that  Huascar 
had  been  drowned  in  the  river  of  that  name,  and 
reports  continued  to  be  heard,  of  intended  insurrec- 
tions in  favor  of  the  King;  of  which  he  denied  any 
knowledge  whatever. 

A  Court-martial,  however,  condemned  him  to  be 
burned  in  the  great  square  of  the  City,  or  to  be  hung; 
if  he  became  a  Christain,  an  inducement,  which  he 
accepted,  and  was  baptized  John,  the  day  of  his 
execution  (29th  August,  1533)  being  that  of  St.  John. 

Pizarro  and  his  Court  went  into  mourning  for 
Juan  de  Atahuallpa,  for  whose  obsequies,  solemn 
preparations  were  made,  while  he  lay  in  state  at  the 
Cathedral. 

At  the  funeral  service,  Castilian  voices  chanted 
the  litany  of  the  dead,  padres  sprinkled  the  royal 
coffin,  while  the  people  prostrate  on  the  ground,  im- 
plored divine  mercy  for  the  soul  of  the  departed 
Monarch,  when  suddenly,  loud  voices,  weeping  and 
wailing,  were  heard  outside,  and  the  church  doors 
opened  to  the  wives  and  relations  of  the  late  Sover- 
eign, who  surrounded  the  coffin,  protesting  against 
the  performance  of  their  King's  funeral  rites  in  such 
avsray ;  and  wished  to  sacrifice  themselves  on  his  tomb, 
to  go  with  him  to  the  land  of  spirits,  which  several 
of  them  eventually  did;  although  informed  that  he 
had  died  a  christian,  and  to  this  day,  the  natives  oc- 
casionally perform  a  tragedy  of  Atahuallpa's  death, 
amid  much  lamentation. 


84 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  7 HE 


The  Spaniards  also  found  about  six  millions 
worth  of  gold  and  silver  at  Cuzco,  and  drawing 
lots;  Lequizano — who  got  the  image  of  the  Sun,  as 
his  share;  gambled  it  away  before  morning;  from 


SPAMAEDS   GAMBLIKG. 


which  came  the  motto:  (Juega  el  sol  antes  que 
amanezca),  "  he  plays  away  the  sun  before  sunrise."^ 
As  the  population  on  the  Atlantic  side  of  the 
Andes  mountains;  are  also  Quichua-  or  Amaracan, 
let  us  now  recall  some  of  the  history  of  the  great 
Chibcha  Kingdom  of  Cundin-Amaraca,  the  neigh- 
bors of  the  nation  just  spoken  of. 


1  Sir  Arthur  Helps.    Vol.  Ill,  p.  504. 


2  Amer.  Encyclopedia. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  85 

After  the  Peruvians  and  Mexicans,  the  Chibchas 
— improperly  called  Muysca,  meaning  man — were 
the  next  in  importance,  of  the  five  great  nations  of 
America.  At  the  time  of  the  Spanish  conquest, 
their  population  was  estimated  at  two  millions. 

Tly.y  cultivated  lands,  mined,  carved  in  bone  and 
stone,  had  a  primitive  sort  of  money,  and  traded  in 
painted  mantles,  gold  ornaments,  and  emeralds. 

Their  chronology  was  divided  into  a  week  of 
three  days,  ten  of  v/hich  made  a  month,  twenty 
months  a  year,  and  twenty  years  an  age. 

Their  Kingdom  of  Cundin-Amaraca,  and  its 
capital  of  Bogota,  now  forms  part  of  the  United 
States  of  Columbia,  in  Central  America;  containing 
one  hundred  thousand  square  miles  of  territory, 
w^iich  may  be  found  in  longitude  74°,  and  latitude 
4°,  to  6°,  north. 

The  Kings  of  Amaraca,  on  the  Pacific  coast, 
had  a  road,  which  followed  the  course  of  the  Andes 
mountains,  connecting  their  city  with  the  capitol  of 
Cundin-Amaraca.^ 

These  mountains  subdivide  into  branches;  as 
they  approach  the  Atlantic,  and  the  chain  running 
along  the  coast,  goes  as  far  as  the  river  Orenoco — 
thus  enclosing  two  fertile  valleys,"  which  are  the 
lands  of  the  American  Continent,  first  discovered 
by  Columbus,  as  shown  on  our  map;  where  the 
extent  of  this  famous  Kingdom  also  appears. 

1  Humboldt  Atlas,  p.  259.  2  Codiazzi  Atlas. 


86  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

We  have  an  account  of  it,  from  Doctor  Don  Luis 
Fernandez  Piedrahita,  Canon  of  the  Metropohtan 
Church  of  Bogota,— "  Cahiicador"^  of  the  holy  office 
of  the  supreme  and  general  inquisition,  and  Bishop- 
elect  of  Santa  Marta. 

This  work"  was  dedicated  in  the  year  1688,  to 
His  Majesty,  the  King  of  Spain;  and  of  the  Indies. 
The  Bishop  informs  us,  that 
' '  Cundin  -  Amaraca  —  as  the 
heathens  called  it — was  the 
most  important  Kingdom  after 
Peru  and  Mexico.  The  chiefs 
of  its  population,  and  the  court 
of  the  barbarous  King,  were  at 

the  capitol,  Bogota.    To  their  3,,^,^.^,.,,,.,,  3  ,n.sT  king  of 
idols  of  solid  gold,  they  offered  cundin-amaraca. 

emeralds,  powdered  with  gold  dust." 

"The  city  had  twenty  thousand  houses  in  the 
days  of  its  fame,  and  the  King,  with  his  two  hun- 
dred wives,  resided  in  an  immense  palace,  guarded 
by  twelve  gates,  which  were  entered  by  solid  stone 
staircases." 

The  author  explains^  "the  rites  and  ceremonies  of 
the  Muyscas  "under  paganism,"  and  informs  us, 
that  when  anyone  died  from  the  bite  of  a  snake;  that 


'  Calificado  was  one  of  the  Inquisition  appointed  to  examine  books  and  writ- 
ings. 

=  Historia  general  de  las  conquistas  del  Nuevo  Keyno  de  Granada. 
3  PiedraLeta,  cb.  3,  p.  17. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  87 

the  sign  of  the  cross  was  placed  on  the  tomb," 
which  is  the  American  (Peruvian)  sign 
for  the  word  "amaru,"'and  with  the 
addition  of  the  word  "ca,"  or  land, 
represents  the  sacred  national  name, 
America.  amaeu. 

"Should  a  favorite  wife  of  the  King,  or  of  one 
of  the  Chiefs  (cassiques)  die,  a  great  quantity  of  gold 
and  emeralds  were  put  in  the  tomb.  The  priests 
lived  very  devoutly  in  the  temples,  praying  con- 
tinually and  meditating.  They  slept  and  spoke 
little,  offering  sacrifice  frequently,  during  which 
they  wore  mitres  of  gold,  and  the  people  made 
much  preparation,  whenever  they  went  to  the 
temples  with  offerings.  The  Spaniards  were  amazed 
at  the  immense  quantity  of  gold  used  in  making 
masks,  jewelry,  medals,  half  moons,  bracelets, 
rings  and  many  figures  of  insects.  In  each  of  these 
designs  the  amount  was  fabulous." 

"  The  Chibcha  Kings  of  Cundin-^wzaraco,  had 
grand  processions,  at  which  their  chiefs  assisted." 

"  Ten  to  twelve  thousand  people  congregated  at 
these  assemblies,  and  divided  into  social  circles, 
wearing  costumes  and  masks,  covered  with  golden 
medals,  and  an  abundance  of  jewelry.  At  this 
carnival,  some  of  them  represented  lions,  tigers, 
bears,  and  various  forms,  painting  themselves,  and 
wearing  the  skin  of  the  animal  selected." 


1  Rosny,  Lss  Ecritures,  p.  21.    S3e  explanation  at  p.  122  of  this  work. 


88 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 


"  These  fetes  continued  many  years  after  the  con- 
quest, and  as  late  as  1570,  or  1571,  the  Chief  of  Uba- 
que,  appeared  before  the  Spanish  authorities  of 
Cundin-^?Horaca,  to  ask  permission  to  hold  a  car- 
nival in  his  district,  declaring  that  as  the  Spanish 
people  had  bull  and  dog  fights,  masquerades  and 
carnivals,  that  there  was  no  reason  v^hy  their 
pastimes  and  pleasures  should 
be  prohibited,  w^hich  they  only 
inaugurated,  to  drive  away  dull 
care,  and  give  recreation  to 
their  working  people.  The 
city  of  Bogota,  was  thirty 
miles  by  sixty,  in  size,  and 
there  were  many  theatres, 
places  of  amusement  and 
baths." 

"The  Chiefs  were  absolute  masters  of  the  lives 
and  properties  of  their  subjects,  acknowledging 
allegiance  only  to  the  King;  whose  right  to  the 
Crown,  was  by  primogeniture;  the  eldest  sons  of 
royal  daughters  being  alone  admissible.  At  the 
time  of  the  Spanish  discovery,  the  Kingdom  of 
Cundin-^maraca,  had  been  extending  its  terri- 
tory by  conquest.  Their  sacred  history  relates; 
that  after  the  deluge,  by  the  overflow  of  the  river 
Funzi,from  which  Bochica  was  saved,  he  disappeared 
mysteriously  from  Iraca,  to  the  east  of  Tunga, 
but,  before  leaving,  advised  them  to  choose  a  Sov- 


HUA-ATA-BITU,     A     FAMOUS     CHIEF 
OF  CUNDIN-AMAKACA. 


.^ 


««l, 


V. 


y' 


#  mm 


^ 


^H^h 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  39 

ereign;  as  many  Chiefs  disputed  the  supreme  au- 
thority." 

"They  selected  Hunca-hua,  who  reigning  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years,  made  great  conquests/  Bochica, 
was  their  first  High-priest,  and  Hunca  the  first  capi- 
tal of  the  Chiefs  of  Cundin- J.?«araca," 

The  Andes  silver  mines  of  Peru,  and  Cundin- 
Amaraca;  are  yet  the  richest  in  existence,  and 
the  finest  gems  of  these  mountains,  are  the  em- 
eralds found  in  the  Tunga  mines  near  Bogota; 
which  supply  nearly  the  entire  market  of  the 
world. - 

This  is  the  neighborhood,  about  which  the  Span- 
iards heard  such  fabulous  stories  of  wealth,  that  so 
many  expeditions  left  in  search  of  the  golden  City 
(El  dorado). 

Baron  de  Humboldt;  who  had  spent  many  years  in 
these  regions,  says,Hhat  "Luis  Da^a,  met  (1535)  an 
Indian  of  QuYidim-Amaraca,  at  Cassa- J.?/ia?^aca,  who 
was  sent  by  his  Sovereign,  to  ask  the  assistance  of 
King  Atahualpa,  and  as  usual,  praised  the  richness 
of  his  country  to  Daga,  but  what  fixed  the  attention 
of  the  Spaniards,  was  the  story  of  a  Lord;  whose 
body  was  covered  with  gold  dust,  and  who  lived  at 
a,  lake  in  the  middle  of  the  mountains.  This  was 
probably,  that  to  the  east  of  Iraca  and  Tunga,  where 
the  two  spiritual  and  secular  Chiefs  of  the  Empire 
of  Cundiin- Amaraca  lived.     Its  temple  of  the  sun 

1  Probably  means  himself  and  his  descendants.  2  Amer.  Encyclopedia. 


90 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 


-MOXI,    niL,tl-rnii..SX    OF 
CUNDrS-AMAEACA. 


was  not  far  from  the  north  side  of  the  lands,  first 
found  by  the  Spaniards." 

"The  High  Priest  powdered 
his  face  and  hands  with  gold 
dust  every  morning — which 
he  had  previously  oiled  or 
greased,  so  as  to  retain  it, — 
before  offering  sacrifice."  ^ 

The  chief  Kingdom  in  the 
western  hemisphere,  when 
Columbus  landed,  was  Amaraca  or  America,  whose 
Inca  Kings,  claimed  descent  from  the  Aymara  race, 
of  Aymaraca,  the  earliest  known  of  the  existing 
population,  from  whom  these  Monarchs — who  re- 
semble them — got  some  of  their  arts  and  religious 
ceremonies. 

The  national  history  of  Amaraca,  names  "  Saint 
Amaraca  or  America,  the  Capitol  "  as  the  first  city 
of  their  Empire.^ 

1  Humboldt,  Relations  hlstoriques.  Vol.  II,  p.  704.        2  See  unabridged  edition. 

The  Spaniards  wrote  it  "  Gumarcaah,"*  and  ijronoiince  the  G — which  does  not 
exist  with  nativest  — like  H,  which  gives  lis  Hua,  or  Saint,  a  word  added  to  their 
sacred  names,  while  their  history  indicates,  that  it  ought  to  be  Hua-Amaraca  or 
America.  It  is  near  the  celebrated  lake  Amatitlan.  These  people  were  the  Quichua 
race,  and  from  this,  the-  Castilians  called  the  City,  the  "Holy  Cross  of  Quichua,"i 
the  latter  name  only  being  used  to-day.  The  Amaru,  or  holy  cross  of  these  people, 
was  conspicuous  there;  as  in  all  the  chief  cities  of  America, ^It  is  the  central 
object  of  adoration,  in  the  immense  sacred  ruins  at  Palenca — from  which  the  Con- 
tinent was  probably  first  called  "Land  of  the  Holy  Cross."  One  author,  has  attempted 
to  find  the  etymology  of  Gumarcaah,  by  phonetic  comparison,  forgetting,  that  in  pic- 
torial literature,  the  meaning  of  a  sign,  when  lost — can  only  be  obtained,  by  its 
morphological  classification.  The  Spaniards  endeavoured  to  turn  the  American 
names  into  familiar  sounds,  as  in  the  city  of  Eimac,  which  is  to-day  known  as 
Lima.    The  Kings  of  America  claimed  descent  from  the  Amara  race,  who  are  still 


*Bourbourg,  "  Popol  Vuh,"  p.  307.      t  Torres,  p.  4.      %  Santa  Cruz  del  Quiche. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  gj 

General  Alvarado  encountered  the  most  vigorous 
resistance  here,  where  the  King  met  him  with 
232,000  men,  and  not  until  he  had  been  slain,  after 
a  battle  of  six  days,  was  the  metropolis  captured. 
The  ruins  of  the  old  City;  once  the  large  and  opulent 
capitol  of  Utlatlan,  with  the  Court  of  the  ancient 
Kings,  was  the  most  sumptuous  that  had  been  dis- 
covered in  that  section  of  America/  The  floors  of 
the  palace  were  of  hard  cement,  and  the  inner  walls 
covered  with  plaster.  The  place  of  sacrifice,  is  a 
square  stone  structure,  sixty-six  feet  on  each  side  at 
its  base,  and  in  pyramid  form.  The  City  was  in  its 
greatest  splendor,  when  conquered  by  Alvarado.  Its 
proximity  to  Mexico,  (being  only  about  sixty  miles 
distant,)  and  to  their  chief  ruins  of  Palenca,  is  in 
accordance  with  the  history  of  both  nations,  which 
claim  the  same  origin. 

THE   A:\rARACAN   OR   AMERICAN  NATIONAL  HISTORY. 

These  celebrated  Amaracans  or  Americans — im- 
properly called  Peruvians, —  had  a  sacred  book- 
existing,  and  the  most  ancient  race  on  the  Continent.  In  the  map  of  Peru,  by  the 
Hakluyt  Society;  shewing  "  the  cradle  of  the  Yncas,"  may  be  seen  Aymaraca.  In 
this  neighborhood,  is  an  Amarican  City,  which  Cieza  de  Leon  says,  is  the  finest  in 
America, with  magnificent  houses,  built  of  cut  stone  and  massive  fortifications.  The 
name  given  it  was  Guamanga,  but  we  find  in  Torres  dictionary,  that  Hua-Manca  is 
more  correct.  When  the  Aymaras  moved  South,  they  probably  founded  another 
Hua-Amaraca,  before  the  Inca  Kings  followed,  and  tock  it  from  them.  The  war 
which  broke  out  between  Atahuallpa,  and  Huascar,  began  by  the  formers  seizure 
of  a  rich  province,  in  his  brothers  Kingdom,  who  took  him  prisoner,  but  he  escaped, 
and  told  his  people,  that  the  Sun  turned  him  into  an  Amaru,  which  enabled  him  to 
retTirn,  and  this  inflamed  their  religious  sentiment  to  such  an  extent,  that  they  van- 
quished the  enemy,  and  captured  Kin  g  Huascar.  (Cieza  de  Leon  ap  Hakluyt  Society) . 

1  See  map.  2  "  Popol  Vuh." 


92  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  01  THE 

which  explains  clearly,  the  origin  of  their  illustrious 
national  name.  This  history  relates;  that  two  Mexi- 
can princes/  were  executed  by  command  of  two  kings, 
on  a  charge  of  creating  a  revolt,  in  the  kingdom  of 
Xibalba."  As  a  monument  of  their  punishment,  the 
head  of  one  of  them,'' was  placed  on  a  dead  tree, 
which  immediately  returned  to  life  and  bore  fruit. 

The  kings  forbade  any  one  to  touch  it,  but  the 
daughter  of  a  Xibalbian  Prince,^  strangely  enough 
for  one  of  the  fair  sex,  is  prompted  by  curiosity,  to 
go  and  take  some  of  the  forbidden  fruit.  On  ap- 
proaching the  tree,  a  voice  from  the  Prince's  head 
warns  her,  and,  asking  her  desire,  he  commands 
that  she  extend  her  arms,  when  he  places  sacred 
saliva  on  her  hand,  which  immediately  disappears. 
The  Princess  returns  home;  is  accused  by  her  father 
of  assisting  the  traitors;  she  pleads  innocence,  but  is 
condemned  to  death  by  the  Court.     Then,  aided  by 

1  Hiinhun  Ahpu  and  Vukub  Hun  Ahpu. 

2  During  the  reign  of  Hun  Came  and  Vukub  Came. 

3  Hunhun  Ahpu.  -ilxquic. 

Tulan,  is  said  to  Lave  been  the  chief  country  of  the  ancient  Mexicans,  which 
some  authorities  suppose,  was  near  Palenca,  the  name  given  to  the  principal  ruins 
of  Central  America,  discovered  during  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  as  it  was  the 
nearest  village.  These  ruins  of  forty-four  towns,  covering  about  twenty-eight 
miles,  were  so  well  hidden  by  a  dense  forest,  tha!  people  living  only  a  few  miles 
away,  had  never  heard  of  them.  The  "  Popol  Vuh  "  states,  that  a  revolt  against  the 
kingdom  of  Xibalba,  which  was  anterior  to  that  of  the  Toltecas— ended  in  the 
foundation  of  the  Quicha  race,  which  was  their  generic  name.  They  claim, descent 
from  the  Toltecas  of  Tulan,  like  the  Mexicans,  in  whose  language,  ollen,  means  the 
sun,  teca,  people,  and  ot,  country.  The  name  of  Tulan,  suggests  an  error  of  fre- 
quent occurrence,  the  loss  of  an  initial  vowel,  and  was  probably  otoUen,  or  Country 
of  the  Sun,  whose  people  were  the  ot-ol-tecas,  or  people  of  the  Sun  Country,  now 
written  Tolteca,  and  we  find*  this  place,  near  the  capital  of  Amarca   or  America; 

*  See  map. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


93 


the  executioners,  she  escapes  the  penalty,  and 
going  to  the  mother  of  the  Prince,  is  received 
as  a  daughter-in-law,  remaining  there  until  the 
birth  of  twin  brothers,^  who  go  to  Xibalba  and  per- 
form many  wonders,  killing  and  restoring  them- 
selves to  life.  The  Kings  command  that  they 
repeat  this  with  them,  whereon  they  kill  their 
majesties,  but  do  not  restore  them.  Then,  they  tell 
the  people,  that  they  are  the  sons  of  one  of  the 
heroes,  executed  by  these  kings,  and  that  they  have 
thus  avenged  their  father.  They  then  retire  to 
Utlatlan,  the  seat  of  the  common  people,  declare 
war,  defeat  Xibalba,-  and  form  an  empire,  making 
Utlatlan  the  capital,  but  changing  its  name  to 
Amarca  before  doing  so. 

Cassa-Amaraca^  was  the  royal  sacred  necropolis, 
and  near  it  is  YwXi-Amarca,  where  the  sulphur 
springs  are  still  called,  the  "Kings'  baths."  Yan- 
Amaraca,  teas  their  Hercules,  from  yan,^  "behold," 
the  present  indicative  of  the  verb,  yanhal,  to   be. 

whose  people  avow,  tliat  its  former  name  was  Utlatlan, — probably  also  a  cor- 
rnptlou  of  otollen,  or  Tulan— from  which  both]  nations  claim  descent,  and  the 
name  Am-eri-ca  is  a  translation  of  it,  written  by  the  sign  of  the  cross  and  snake — 
which  meant  the  great  Sun;  pronounced  Amaru — with  ca  or  land,  and  this  also 
agrees,  with  the  name  given  to  America, — discovered  in  983  a.  d.  by  the  Icelander, 
Marrson — and  mentioned  in  their  history  as  Irland-ik  mitla,  "  Irland-the-great." 
The  sign  of  E,  the  Sun  as  Ea,  Eire,  Aryan,  Uira-cocha  etc.  was  universal, 
Ireland  is  Eire— the  Sun— in  the  Irish  Celtic  history,  but  as  the  Germans  always 
add  the  word  land,  to  the  names  of  countries,  they  called  it  Eire,  or  Ir-land. 

1  Hun  Ahpu  and  Xbalenca. 

2  This  war  against  Xibalba,  by  Xbalenca  and  his  brother,  may  explain  the  ruins 
of  Palenca, 

3  The  Kings  performed  miracles  here.    Hakluyt  Soc.  Vol.  48,  p.  8.    Malte-Brun, 
5th  Edu..  Vol.  1,  p.  273. 

4  Torres. 


<)4  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN'  OF  THE 

^'Behold  America"  was  an  appropriate  name  for  the 
American  Hercules.  There  was  Vin-Amarca/  in 
the  gulf  where  Manco  Capac,  the  prince  of  Ameri- 
can legislators  and  first  Inca  King,  received  his  divine 
vocation.  Then  there  were  the  cities  of  Ang — 
Amarca,C]ien^i-Amerca,\]i'm-Amarca,-C2it-Amarca 
— QsiW- Amarca,^  and  Pa-tinamit-^«ia;'ca,  or  "  Amer- 
ica the  capitol" — the  only  one  which  appears  in  their 
ancient  documents  and  sacred  history,  as  the  foun- 
dation of  their  Kingdom. 

SPLENDOR  OF  THE   KINGS   OF    AMERICA  ;   THEIR    MOUN- 
TAIN  CITIES,  PALACES,  AND  CUSTOMS. 

The  Kings  or  Incas — according  to  their  own,  and 
other  native  history — were  conquerors  of  nations, 
already  in  an  advanced  state  of  civilization.  They 
selected  the  very  best  and  richest  parts  of  the  con- 
tinent for  their  strongholds,  and  paid  particular 
attention  to  its  gold  mines,  which  were  nearly  all  in 
the  Andes,— the  most  compact  mountain  system  in 
the  world,  running  along  the  Pacific  coast,  almost 
the  entire  length  of  South  America,  from  Patagonia; 
the  southern  end  of  the  Pacific  ocean,  to  the  Carri- 
bean  sea  in  the  Atlantic,  a  distance  of  at  least  4,500 
miles. 

At  latitude  22°  south,  this  mountain  divides  into 
two  colossal  ridges,  which  enclose  a  valley,  five  hun- 

1  Malte-Brun,  5tli  Edn.,  Vol.  2,  p.  276.      2 Malte-Brun,  5tli  EdD.,  Vol.  3,  p.  278 
3  Cant-,  amarca.    Hakluyt  Soc.  Map  of  Peru. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  95 

dred  miles  loDg,  thirty  to  sixty  wide,  thirteen  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  so  completely 
walled  in  by  high  mountains;  that  its  streams — 
which  have  not  any  outlet  apparently — meet  in  a 
famous  lake  of  4,600  square  miles,  (Titicaca);  the 
largest  in  South  x\merica — where  the  beautiful  pal- 
aces of  the  vestal  virgins  (of  Amaraca),  in  the  island 
Coati,  have  been  excavated  for  centuries — the  work 
still  going  on— a  Spanish  explorer  having  found  gold 
and  silver,  to  the  extent  of  $4,450,280  in  one  of  them. 
In  another  isle  of  this  lake;  where  the  first  American 
High- priest — Manco  Capac — received  his  divine  call 
from  heaven, — becoming  a  child  of  the  Sun, — there 
are  immense  sacred  ruins,  and  at  Ti-Huanco,  a  tra- 
dition is  still  repeated;  of  large  vaults,  filled  with 
treasure,  beneath  the  great  mound,  and  a  subterra- 
neous passage  leading  to  Cuzco — one  of  the  royal 
cities — four  hundred  miles  away,  where — among 
the  innumerable  sculptures— the  Amaru;  or  great 
serpents  predominate;  whose  swift  quivering  move- 
ment, was  taken  as  an  emblem  of  the  streaks  of 
lightning,  so  often  seen  there,  and  said  to  come 
from  the  Sun — a  belief  indirectly  true. 

The  yl??iar2t-cancha,  or  palace  of  snakes— with  its 
cornices  and  interior  walls  covered  with  gold^— and 
the  temple  of  the  Sun,  were  immense  stone  buildings, 
enclosing  large  aqueducts  and  gardens,  kept  in  order 
by  priests— four  thousand  of  whom,  were  attached 

1  See  Prescott's  History  of  the  Conq.uest  of  Peru. 


90  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

to  the  latter  temple,  where  the  royal  family  alone 
could  enter;  the  surrounding  ground  being  consid- 
ered so  holy,  that  one  could  only  walk  with  bare  feet 
within  two  Imndred  paces  of  it.  Of  the  three  hun- 
dred temples  at  Cuzco,  this  one — unsurpassed  in  the 
greatness  and  richness  of  its  decorations^  by  any 
building  in  the  world — is  only  one  instance,  of  the 
immense  value  of  the  treasures  of  Amaraca,  before 
the  Spanish  invasion.  Near  this  city,  is  Ollenta)^- 
tambo;  with  numerous  palaces  and  buildings, wrought 
in  polished  marble;  where  that  of  the  A'irgins  of  the 
Sun — a  marvel  of  Amaracan  art — was  well  guarded 
by  its  position  and  bridges,  not  far  from  a  rocky 
mountain,  which  may  still  be  seen,  for  a  mile  long 
and  seven  hundred  fet't  wide,  apparently  covered 
with  white  specks,  which  are  tombs  cut  in  the  solid 
rock.  The  roads  in  this  kingdom;  says  Baron  de 
Humboldt,''  "are  the  most  useful  and  stupendous 
works,  ever  executed  by  man."  Their  four  chief 
routes  from  Cuzco,  rival  the  best  Roman  work, 
frequently  going  into  the  region  of  perpetual  snow — 
completely  closed  in  winter— through  tunnels  cut  in 
solid  rock — over  giant  precipices  by  steps — cross- 
ing rivers  by  solid  masonry  or  suspension  bridges 
swung  with  osier  ropes,  leading  along  the  table 
lands  of  Pasco — the  highest  point  of  the  Andes  occu- 
pied  by  man — to  their  richest  silver   mines,  at  an 

elevation  of  fourteen  thousand  feet  above  the  level 
Mx  t!iSt*> 

*  Ss*^escott'sm&tory  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru.         2  Vues  des  Cordilleras. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  97 

of  the  sea;  and  only  fifteen  hundred  below  the  per- 
petual snow  fine.  There  are  eight  of  these  great 
highways  in  Chili,  six  in  Bolivia,  and  three  in 
Peru. 

The  valleys  of  the  great  branches  of  the  Andes, 
are  also  specially  adapted  for  these  roads,  which  are 
connected  with  the  sea  coast,  by  various  passes  over 
the  western  mountains — one  of  them  running  from 
the  Pacific  seaport  of  Truxillo,  crosses  over  a  sum- 
mit of  11,600  feet,  before  reaching  Cassa-Amaraca, 
the  capitol  of  the  Kings,  near  which  are  the  ruins  of 
excavations  through  these  mountains,  made  to  afford 
an  outlet  to  a  lake  which  had — during  the  rainy 
season — inundated  the  surrounding  country  includ- 
ing the  valley  of  Curymayo,  where  gold  was  found 
in  great  quantities  and  smelted  in  furnaces.  This 
road  is  continued  to  Popayan,  and  ending  at  Bogota; 
the  capitol  of  the  Kingdom  of  Cundin-Amaraca— is 
still  a  celebrated  commercial  thoroughfare.  There 
are  immense  ruins  at  Cassa-Amaraca,  with  subter- 
ranean treasure  vaults  in  the  houses,  and  a  portion 
of  the  King's  palace  cut  out  of  solid  rock. 

Padre  Calancha — one  of  the  pioneers — referring  to 
the  buried  treasures  of  Cassa-Amaraca  and  other 
cities;  says  that,  "If  these  were  discovered;  they 
would  be  sufficient  to  enrich  the  world." 


98  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

CUSTOMS   OF   THE   KINGDOM  OF   AMARACA  OR  AMERICA. 

The  Monarch  traveled  through  the  Kingdom ;  along 
the  beautiful  roads  they  had  made,  in  a  sedan, 
covered  with  exquisite  embroidery  and  gold,  carried 
by  a  large  number  of  men,  who  waited  impatiently 
for  the  honor,  at  all  the  stations,  which  were  very 
numerous,  with  government  buildings  reserved  for 
the  Sovereign  and  his  suite,  or  royal  palaces  in  their 
cities.  The  roads  were  prepared  by  the  people — wdien 
the  intended  visit  was  announced, — who  strewed  the 
path  with  flowers,  made  floral  arches,  and  received 
the  monarch  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm;  as  he 
stopped  on  the  w^ay  to  give  his  decision,  on  questions 
left  by  the  judges  for  a  royal  fiat. 

Prayers  and  acclamations  arose,  as  he  raised  the 
curtain,  and  appeared  to  the  crowd,  who  waited  at 
every  point  to  see  him;  and  wherever  he  stopped  be- 
came sacred. 

Small  houses  were  also  erected  at  distances  of 
five  miles,  for  the  royal  postmen,  who  carried  mes- 
sages at  the  speed  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  a 
day,  and  also  brought  fish,  game,  and  fruit  for  the 
court.  ^ 

The  Kings  were  continually  making  conquests; 
by  peacefully  insisting  on  the  chiefs  to  recognize 
them;  and  by  war,  in  case  of  refusal.     Their  army 

1  Purclias,  1614,  p.  1066. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  99 

of  two  hundred  thousand  men,  ^  fought  with  toma- 
hawks, bows,  arrows,  and  lances  of  sharp  bone  or 
copper,  and  slings,  while  the  nobility  used  gold  or 
silver  mounted  weapons,  wearing  helmets  of  wood, 
or  tiger  skins,  decorated  with  feathers. 

The  eldest  son— always  the  heir  apparent  to  the 
throne — was  educated  by  the  College  Professors,"  in 
exercises  specially  religious  and  military.  All  the  re- 
lations of  the  royal  family,  and  these  Professors, — 
one  of  its  castes, — were  examined  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen for  admission,  as  every  nobleman  had  to  prove 
himself  worthy  of  the  honor,  before  being  accepted. 
The  examination — which  lasted  thirty  days — was 
performed  by  the  oldest  and  most  illustrious  of  the 
nobility.  The  candidates — who  w^ore  white  shirts, 
with  a  cross  embroidered  in  front — were  obliged  to 
show  their  efficiency  in  war  exercises,  wrestling, 
boxing,  running  long  distances,  fasts  of  several 
days,  imaginary  battles,  in  which  they  were  wounded, 
and  sometimes  killed,  sleeping  on  the  ground,  and 
going  barefooted  to  inspire  sympathy  for  the  unfort- 
unate. 

The  heir  to  the  throne  was  not  exempt  from  this 
discipline,  or  favored  in  any  way — and  if  selected, 
was  presented  with  the  others;  (who  had  been  suc- 
cessful), to  the  Sovereign,  who,  after  congratulating 
them,  dwelt  on  the  responsibihties  of  their  high 

1  Hakluyt,  Vol.  48. 


100  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

position  as  children  of  the  Sun,  and  recommended 
them  to  follow  his  example,  as  they  knelt  before  him 
one  by  one,  so  that  their  ears  might  be  pierced  with 
a  golden  wire ;  (before  putting  in  the  immense 
rings — only  worn  by  the  royal  family — )  which  con- 
sequently became  so  long,  that  they  almost  patted 
them  on  the  shoulder. 

While  the  candidate's  ear  was  prepared  by  the 
King  for  this  honor,  a  noble  put  on  the  sandals  of 
royalty;  and  a  sash  around  the  waist,  when  they 
were  crowned  with  flowers  and  evergreen,  as  an  em- 
blem of  virtue.  The  head  of  the  prince  was  alone 
adorned  with  a  yellow  tassel  of  Vicuna  wool,  after 
which  the  nobles, — beginning  with  his  nearest  re- 
lations— knelt  before  him  as  the  heir  apparent,  and 
finally,  they  all  assembled  in  the  great  square  of  the 
Capitol,  where  national  songs,  dances,  and  fetes,  in- 
cluding theatrical  performances — some  of  which 
have  been  preserved — closed  with  the  important 
ceremony  of  the  Hua-Aracu. 

In  their  schools;  the  Professors  read  their  na- 
tional history  from  pictorial  signs  to  the  scholars, 
while  the  King  opened  the  spring  season,  by  cutting 
the  ground  with  a  golden  hatchet  to  inaugurate 
planting;  nor  did  anyone  dare  to  reap  a  blade  of  the 
autumn  harvest,  until  he  had  gathered  the  flrst  seeds, 
which  were  preserved  and  sown  in  small  quantities 
all  over  the  Kingdom,  as  a  blessing  for  the  future 
crop. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  101 

The  royal  family  had  many  privileges.  The 
choicest  lands  were  reserved  for  them;  and  living 
at  Court  near  the  King;  were  members  of  his  Council, 
dining  with  him  or  from  his  table. 

They  alone  performed  sacred  rites,  commanded 
the  armies,  and  governed  the  provinces,  filling  every 
position  of  trust. 

The  second  noble  caste,  were  the  chiefs  of  con- 
quered provinces, — called  Curaca  or  Cecique — who 
were  obliged  to  educate  their  sons  at  the  capitol; 
and  to  visit  it  occasionally  themselves — as  well  as  to 
speak  the  Quichua  or  national  diplomatic  language. 
The  entire  Kingdom  was  divided  into  principalities 
of  ten  thousand  inhabitants,  under  a  royal  governor, 
who  was  obliged  to  deliver  judgment  in  law  cases, 
within  five  days,  from  which  there  was  no  appeal. 

Inspectors  visited  the  cities  to  investigate  the 
conduct  of  Judges,  and  examine  the  monthly  reports, 
made  by  the  lower,  to  the  Supreme  Courts;  who 
reported  to  the  Governors, 

From  every  ten  persons,  one  was  chosen,  who  was 
obliged  to  see  that  they  received  justice  in  the 
administration  of  the  law;  and  then  they  were  divided 
into  jurisdictions  of  50,  100,  500,  and  1,000,  over 
whom  officers  were  appointed.^ 

The  Kingdom  was  equally  divided  into  three 
parts;  for  the  King,  the  Sun,  and  the  people.  The 
first,  supported  public  worship,  the  second,  the  Gov- 

1  Ximeues  ap.  Helps. 


102  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

ernment.  and  the  third  was  divided  in  equal  shares 
among  the  people,  who  first  tilled  the  lands  of  the 
Sun,  then  of  the  old  or  sick,  the  widow,  orphan  and 
soldiers  in  service,  then,  each  one  his  own  ground — 
also  assisting  any  neighbor  who  had  a  large  family — 
and  lastly,  the  lands  of  the  King,  very  ostenta- 
tiously, by  the  community.  A  royal  proclamation 
every  morning,  was  answered  by  the  entire  house- 
hold in  their  best  attire,  who  sang  ballads  of  the 
King's  great  deeds  as  the  work  went  on,  keeping 
time  with  the  music,  of  which  the  chorus  "  hailli  " 
or  triumph,  was  the  theme. 

The  American  King — like  the  Chinese  Buddist 
pontiff — w^as  the  human  habitation  of  the  divine 
spirit.  His  relations  went  barefooted  before  him, 
always  carrying  something  as  an  emblem  of  hom- 
age. ^ 

He  was  high  priest  of  all  great  religious  festivals, 
raised  armies,  which  he  commanded  personally, 
made  laws,  regulated  taxation,  appointed  and  re- 
moved Judges  at  pleasure.  His  dress  was  of  the 
finest  Vicuna  wool,  beautifully  dyed  and  ornamented 
with  gold,  pearls,  and  emeralds,  while  his  unique 
turban  of  various  colors,  was  surmounted  by  two 
feathers  of  a  bird  so  seldom  found;  that  it  was  death 
to  destroy.  His  inspection  of  the  lower  classes  was 
frequent,  while  he  drank  the  health  of  those  of  the 
nobility,  whom  he  wished  to  honor,  at  state  dinners, 

iHakluyt.Vol.  48. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  103 

which  were  prepared  with  great  pomp  and  dig- 
nity.' 

The  flocks  of  sheep  were  for  the  Sun  and  King, 
whose  shepherds— choosing  their  own  seasonable 
climates  in  the  mountains;  which  offered  every 
possible  variation — sent  males  only,  to  the  capitol, 
for  the  royal  table  and  for  sacrifice,  while  their  wool 
was  stored  and  served  to  families  who  weaved." 

Marriage  was  compulsory,  between  eighteen  and 
twenty  for  the  fair  sex,  and  not  later  than  twenty- 
four  for  men.  The  King  performed  the  ceremony  for 
the  nobility;  by  taking  both  hands  of  the  bride  and 
groom  in  his,  while  announcing,  they  were  married ; 
which  is  as  prompt  as  the  Mohammedan  divorce 
law,  where  the  husband  merely  says  "  ta  lek," — 
you  are  divorced. 

Marriages  of  the  nobility  were  very  fashionable. 
The  bride  was  painted!  and  decorated  with  much 
taste.  She  was  covered  from  waist  to  knee  with 
an  exquisite  tunic  of  rich  feathers,  while  rare  shells 
or  pearls  adorned  her  person,  and  a  golden  plate 
and  chain  embellished  her  neck.  Songs  and  dancing- 
announced  the  arrival  at  her  father's  house,  of  six 
noblemen,  preceded  by  musicians  and  two  bearers  of 
magnificent  feather  fans,  followed  by  ballet  dancers 
and  the  bride's  relatives.  She  appeared  immediately, 
and  ascending  floral  steps;  was  placed  by  her  parents 
in   a  beautiful    sedan    chair— crowned  with   green 

>  Garcilasso  de  Vega  ap.  Helps.  2  Hakluyt,  Vol.  48. 


104 


DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 


boughs  and  floral  decorations — which  rested  on  the 
shoulders  of  noblemen,  who  carried  her  to  the  bride- 
groom's residence,  where  she  was  received  by  Lords 
in  waiting  and  conducted  to  a  seat  by  the  side  of  the 
future  husband,  who  rose  from   an  elevated  dais  to 


AN   AMERICAN  BEIDE. 


escort  her  to  the  King,  where  they  all  proceeded  with 
much  pomp  and  ceremony,  w^hile  bridesmaids 
fanned  them  in  warm  weather,  with  an  assortment 
of  beautiful  tropical  feathers,  offering  in  season  the 
unfermented  juice  of  grapes,  or  a  sort  of  orange 
sherbet  in  golden  goblets,  until  arriving  at  the  royal 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  105 

palace,  where  the  King;  taking-  both  hands  in  his,  as 
they  knelt  before  him,  invoked  an  eternal  blessing. 

Towards  sunset,  the  Chief  and  his  young  bride 
Walked  into  an  open  field  followed  by  all  the  people, 
and  kneeling  towards  the  west,  commended  them- 
selves and  their  posterity  to  divine  protection. 

Afi;er  sunset,  the  people  danced  to  the  music  of 
the  reed  and  tambourine,  until  the  stars  appeared, 
when  festive  lamps  surrounding  the  bridegroom's 
house,  announced  the  marriage- feast. 

The  Governors  of  districts,  performed  a  similar 
service  for  the  people;  whose  relations  met  in  the 
square  of  the  town  to  witness  the  ceremony,  after 
which,  sufficient  land  and  a  house  was  allotted  by 
the  government,  who  changed  these  divisions  an- 
nually; according  to  the  number  of  people  com- 
posing each  family,  of  whom  the  King  received 
annual  reports;  giving  the  total  number  of  births, 
deaths,  and  marriages,  as  well  as  agricultural  stat- 
istics. The  royal  palaces  were  closed  on  the  Monarch's 
death,  excepting  one,  which  was  kept  open  in  state 
by  his  guard  and  attendants;  as  they  believed — like 
the  Egyptians — that  the  soul  would  reinhabit  the 
royal  body  at  a  later  period,  and  therefore  every- 
thing was  preserved  for  his  return,  while  they  cele- 
brated with  royal  splendor,  the  obsequies  of  every 
King,  called  to  the  mansion  of  his  father  the  Sun, 
embalming  their  bodies,  which  were  placed  in  rows 
in  the  temple,  dressed  in  state,  with  gold  chains,  and 


106  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

arms  crossed,  seated  in  chairs  of  gold;  the  Kings  to 
the  right  and  Queens  to  the  left  of  the  sun. 

A  Spaniard  found  gold  to  the  value  of  $1,000,000 
at  Truxillo,  in  one  of  these  royal  tombs,  where 
immense  treasure  was  often  discovered,^  Their 
palaces,  were  lavishly  studded  with  gold  and  silver 
ornaments,  of  which  everything  possible  w^as  made, 
while  the  artistic  designs  in  American  w'ool  were 
so  exquisite,  that  they  were  used  in  the  royal  palaces 
of  Charles  V.  The  groves,  flowers  and  baths, — 
supplied  by  silver  pipes  and  golden  basins, — and  the 
fountains  or  flower  imitations  in  both  metals,  were 
exquisite ;  and  came  from  the  overflowing  gold 
mountains,  which  solely  supplied  the  Monarch. 

The  government  regulated  the  amount  of  work, 
to  be  done  by  each  one  for  the  state,  and  the 
surplus  harvest  of  the  Sun  or  King,  was  put  into 
stone  warehouses,  and  divided  among  the  people  in 
seasons  of  sickness,  misfortune,  or  want.  These 
were  found  by  the  Spaniards  at  QdJ^- Amaraca, 
full  of  maize,  cocoa,  woollen  and  cotton  clothing, 
vases,  gold,  silver  and  copper. - 

Cassa-Amarca  is  now  a  department  in  northern 
Peru,  with  a  population  of  280,000  people,  though 
only  fourteen  thousand  square  miles,  a  very  small 
part  of  its  ancient  area.  It  is  between  6°  and  8°  N. 
latitude— 78°  longitude— one  of  the  most  fertile  parts 
of  South  America,  where  many  of  the  descendants 

'  Humboldt.  "-  Purchas  Efln.  1614,  p.  1059. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  107 

of  the  American  nobility  still  reside, — one  of  whose 
Kings  is  quoted  as  saying,  that;  ''as  the  enemy  and 
all  that  belongs  to  them  will  soon  be  om-s,  we  must 
be  careful  to  destroy  as  little  as  we  can  of  our  own 
property." 

After  every  conquest,  the  national  faith  was 
immediately  established;  for  which  temples  were 
built  and  priests  sent  to  convert  the  nation;  whose 
religions  were  also  respected,  while  the  country  was 
surveyed  to  ascertain  its  fertility,  and  the  chiefs 
and  their  sons  were  immediately  sent  to  the  capitol 
to  be  instructed  in  the  language,  court  etiquette, 
and  government,  before  returning  to  represent  the 
King. 

No  one  was  eligible  for  any  government  office, 
who  did  not  speak  the  national  language,  teachers 
of  which  were  found  in  all  the  towns  and  villages, — 
but  only  the  chiefs  learned  it,  for — as  the  King 
Tupac  Yupanqui,  said,  "Science  was  not  intended 
for  the  people;  but  for  those  of  generous  blood. 
Persons  of  low  degree  are  only  made  vain  by  it, 
neither  should  they  interfere  with  the  affairs  of 
government,  for  this  would  bring  high  offices  into 
disrepute  and  injure  the  empire.''^ 

When  the  kingdom  of  Quito  was  conquered,  ^ 
superb  routes  were  made  along  the  mountains,  with 
hotels,  stores,  and  royal  residences  for  the  sovereign 
and  his-  suite. 

'  See  Prescott's  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Peru. 


108  ■  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

It  was  the  last  of  this  royal  race,  who  built  the 
edifices  which  are  to  day  the  ruins  to  be  seen,  from 
the  modern  province  of  Cassa-Amarca— the  south- 
ern limit  of  the  ancient  Kingdom  of  Quito — to  the 
mountains  of  Pastos. 

Their  chief  road,  with  this  last  addition,  was  fifteen 
hundred  miles  long,  forty  feet  wide,  regularly  macad- 
amized, with  solid  masonry  over  the  marshes,  and  it 
was  continued  from  Quito  to  Cundin-Amarca.  ^ 

We  have  therefore,  at  the  period  of  the  Spanish 
pioneers,  the  South  American  continent,  under  two 
great  Kingdoms,  of  one  name,  and  probably  only 
one  government;  in  an  advanced  state  of  civilization, 
civilly  if  not  morally. 

The  population  of  the  Empire  of  Amaraca — 
which  extended  along  the  Pacific  coast  for  three 
thousand  miles — was  estimated  at  twelve  millions. 

Huayna-Capac — who  was  one  of  the  most  illus- 
trious of  the  American  Kings — had  subdued  the 
entire  country  surrounding  Quito,  and  the  Queen 
of  the  newly  conquered  territory,  became  one  of 
his  wives,  by  whom  he  had  a  son  named  Atahualpa, 
who  was  his  favorite,  although  his  brother,  Huascar, 
was  the  lawful  heir  to  the  throne.  During  the 
Monarch's  last  days,  this  Queen  induced  him  to 
issue  a  decree,  by  which  her  son  was  to  succeed 
him  as  the  King  of  Quito;  while  his  brother,  the 
heir  apparent,  was  to   reign  in  the  ancient  King- 

'  Humboldt,  vol.  I. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


109 


dom.  At  the  King's  death,  Atalmalpa  prcK^eeded  to 
the  capitol  of  Quito,  where  he  was  royally  received, 
and  assumed  the  Crown. 

The  late  King  had  asserted,  that  this  decree  was 
not  contrary  to  the  national  law  of  primogeniture; 
as  he  was  only  returning  Atahualpa,  to  the  nation 
of  which  he  was  the  legitimate  sovereign— Quito 
being  a  new  conquest. 


KING   ATAHUALPA,  ATTACKS   HIS   BROTHEES  ARMY  NEAR   CASSA-AMAKACA. 

Historians  disagree  as  to  the  cause  of  the  war 
between  the  brotheis;  in  which  Atahualpa  defeated 
Huascar's  army,  annexed  his  Kingdom,  and  impris- 
oned himself  in  the  fortified  city  of  Kw^-Amaraca,  ^ 
where  he  was  held,  when  the  Spaniards  arrived  in 
Cassa-^4«mraca. 

1  f  rescott's  History  of  Peru. 


110  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

It  was  some  time,  however,  before  the  comitry 
became  known  under  the  name  of  America,  and 
Bishop  Geraldini,  writing  from  tlie  new  lands  in 
1515,  said  clearly,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Pope 
Leon  X.  "That  the  island  was  larger  than  Europe 
and  Asia,  which  the  ignorant  call  Asia,  and  others 
America  or  Paria.  "^ 

The  Spaniards  could  not  have  annihilated  the 
national  traditions,  even  if  they  desired  to  do  so, 
and  for  years,  in  order  to  satisfy  the  natives,  they 
were  obliged  to  appoint  a  descendant  of  the  Kings, 
who — so  far  as  they  knew — was  still  supreme  ruler 
•of  the  Empire. 

THE    NATIVE    SYSTEM    OF    WRITING   THE     MOST     ILLUS- 
TRIOUS ANCIENT   NATIONAL  NAME   OF  AMERICA. 

Nearly  all  the  early  navigators  to  America,  wrote 
their  voyages;  and  made  maps;  many  of  which 
were  published. 

The  earliest  of  these,  known  to  be  in  existence, 
may  be  seen  in  the  Royal  Spanish  Naval  Museum; 
or  a  copy  of  it,  at  ttie  Astor  library.  New  York.- 

It  was  made  by  Juan  de  la  Cosa,  a  companion  of 
Oolumbus,  who  also  sent  several  to  the  Spanish 
government,  and  one  to  Pope  Alexander;  but  it  is 
not  known  what  has  become  of  them.  The  next 
map  we  find,  was  by  Cortereal,  who  had  made 
several  voyages  to  America  (1500-1)  and  gave  much 

1  Humboldt.  2  Jomard  collection. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  \\\ 

information  about  it  to  Cantino,  who  was  tlie  Agent 
at  Lisbon  of  the  Duke  of  Farrara  (Italy),  for  the 
purpose  of  writing  any  news  of  these  discoveries, 
and  in  one  of  his  letters  (19  Nov.  1502),  he  enclosed 
a  copy  of  the  "  chart,  to  navigate  to  the  zsZawc?  newly 
found  in  part  of  India,"  wiiich  is  now^  in  the  Estense 
Library,  at  Farrara.  ^  A  brother  of  Columbus,  (Bar- 
tholomew), gave  a  map  to  the  Canon  of  the  church 
of  St.  John  of  Lateran,  at  Eome,  but  none  of  these 
were  recognized  as  standard  w^orks  by  the  nautical 
world;  who  were  still  guided  by  those  originally 
issued  for  many  centuries,  by  the  Ptolemy  kings 
of  Egypt,  which  the  Arab  Mohammedans  continued 
to  publish,  after  they  had  conquered  that  historic 
land,  but,  soon  after  Christianity  began  to  enlighten 
w^estern  Europe;  one  of  these  works,  finding  its  way 
to  Eome,  became  the  pilot  of  the  christian  navigator. 

A  new  edition  was  generally  issued,  whenever 
any  important  discovery  had  been  made.  Pope 
Julius  II,  gave  the  exclusive  right  for  six  years,  to 
issue  an  edition  of  Ptolemy  (1506), — to  Toscinus,  the 
publisher — which  appeared  next  year,  containing 
six  new  maps  besides  those  of  the  previous  issues, 
(1478-1490)  but  America  was  not  noticed  until  their 
edition  of  1508,  which  contained  a  supplement; 
giving  a  description  of  the  new  world  by  the  monk 
Beneveutanus. 

This  delay  was  probably  caused  by  the  King  of 

^  Harisse,  Les  Cortereal.    The  island  meant  America. 


112  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

Portugal,  who  had  made  the  first  known  European 
discovery  of  the  East  Indies,  after  Marco  Polo,  and 
was  apparently  asserting,  that  the  new  Western 
islands  of  the  Spaniards,  were  only  part  of  his 
dominion;  in  consequence  of  which,  they  prohibited 
their  navigators  from  going  near  his  mines.  ^  Tlie 
result  of  this  claim,  was  a  dividing  line,  drawn 
across  the  map  by  the  Pope,  separating  the  limits  in 
which  each  of  these  nations  could  make  discoveries, 
in  order  to  avoid  dispute. 

The  Kings  of  America,  had  a  curious  system  of 
naming  their  cities  and  provinces.  The  sacred  city 
was  called  "the  capitol  of  America,"  and  others, 
"America  in  the  mountains,"  or  the  valley,  and 
similar  designations,"  but  it  was  w^ritten  Amavca 
by  the  Spaniards,  in  whose  language  the  word 
"marca"  means  a  frontier,  and  from  this;  they  gave 
it  an  easy  form.  The  Baron  de  Humboldt  informs 
us;  that  the  early  Spaniards  gave  an  immense  number 
of  various  names  to  the  same  people,  who  only  spoke 
two  languages  on  the  mainland  first  discovered,  and 
they  often  added  consonants  to  names,  which  had  a 
vocal  initial.^  When  the  Moors  were  masters  of 
Spain,  a  large  number  of  words  were  adopted  from 

'Navarrete,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  85,  Ojeda. 

2  Cundin-Amarca  :  Cax-Amarca  ;  Pult-Amarca  ;  Yan-Amarca  ;  Vin-Amarca, 
And-Amarca  ;  Uria-Amarca  ;  Chenpi— Arnarca  ;  Cat-Amarca  Call-Amarca — Cant- 
Amarca. 

3  It  is  on  the  map  of  Cortereal  as  Tamarique;  written  in  red,  to  show  that  it  was 
one  of  the  first  discovered,  and  the  map  of  Frisius  (1525)  who  joined  the  mainland 
to  Africa,  contains  it.  He  must  have  understood  that  the  new  discovery  was 
named  "Tamarique  "  or  "  Amerique  "  in  french. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  1|3 

their  language,  and  the  pronunciation  hardening 
materially,  become  at  that  time  very  gutteral; 
which  was  learned  from  their  conquerors,  in  whose 
Shemetic  tongue,  there  are  no  vowels. 

In  the  lirst  standard  map  of  the  world  showing 
the  Western  hemisphere, 4t  was  called  an  island,  and 
there  also  appeared,  another  named  "  Tamaraqua," 
(meaning  "Amaraca"  or  "America  ")-  which  was  not 
an  island,  but  part  of  the  mainland  much  resembling 
one,'  as  may  be  observed  by  our  sketch. 


1  Ptolemy.    1503. 

2  Humboldt,  Relations  historiqnes.  Vol.  II,  p.  462. 

Hence  we  iind  the  name  written  by  them  "  TamanagrMa,"  should  end  in  "  ca." 
The  custom  of  using  g  lor  c,  is  also  referred  to  in  Torres'  American  (Quiche)  dic- 
tionary p.  4.  "  Tambien  se  advierta,  que  ya  corruptamente  se  usa  dela  G.  en 
lugar  de  la  C  6  dela  h  como  Inga,  Guamanga  for  Inca  Hua-Manca,  que  de  se,  he 
pronunciar  segun  la  propriedad  dela  lengua  general,  que  no  admite  g  en  su 
alfabeto  como  se  advirtio  al  principe  " 

^  The  point  of  land,  so  like  an  isle,  and  now  known  as  Maraca-ibo,  was  no  doubt- 
part  of  Amaraca-pana,  mentioned  by  Humboldt,  and  it  is  a  curious  illustration  of 
these  early  errors,  to  find  it  called  by  Ojeda,  the  isle,  province,  and  lake  of  Coqui- 
vacoa — which  the  Crown  appointed  him  governor  of,  though  existing  only  in  his 
imagination;  but  they  soon  found  out  their  mistake,  for  the  name  Coqui,  meant 
Chibchi— the  Chibchi  royal  race  of  the  kingdom  of  Cundin-Amaraca.  The  cape 
Chibchi  was  opposite  the  supposed  isle,(Codazzi  map  3)  and  Mercater,  getting  nearer 
the  fact,  wrote  it  Cuchi,  and  others— Chibchi  *  which  they  found  later  on;  was  the 
name  of  the  people,  and  not  their  country;  and  altered  it  to  Maraca-ibo,  which  like 
Maraca  pana,  meant  Amaraca  or  America.  Humboldt  sayst  that  only  two  languages 
were  spoken  on  the  mainland  first  visited;  that  of  the  Caribs— always  at  war  with 
the  people  of  Amaraca-pana,  who  must  therefore  have  spoken  Ihe  other,  or  Tam- 
anagua.  "The  Orenoco,"  he  adds,  "  is  a  Tamanagua  word.  It  was  probably  from 
them  that  the  Spaniards  first  heard  of  the  treasures  of  Cundin-Amaraca."  It  is 
evident,  that  these  people,  living  on  the  coast  of  Amaraca,  were  the  Americans,  for 
which  the  name  Tamanagua,  and  the  isle  of  Tamaragua  are  intended.  We  supposed 
that  the  isle  of  Tamaragua,  might  have  meant  Jamaica,  pronounced  Ham-ah-e-ca, 
by  the  Spaniards,  and  would  have  explained  the  cause  of  Mercater's  calling  the 
West  Indies  "  Camercan  islands,  "  but  the  evidence  we  found  disproved  it. 

American  (Peruvian)  was  the  diplomatic  and  fashionable  language  of  the 
"Western  hemisphere  at  the  time  of  the  Spanish  conquest.t   as  we  now  find  i^'rench 

*  Kohl  Atlas,  p.  123.  t  Vol.  II,  p.  462.  +  Prescolt's  history  of  Peru . 


114  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

SPAIN  PROHIBITS  OTHERS  FROM  TRADING  IN  THE  DIS- 
COVERIES OF  COLUMBUS  ON  THE  MAINLAND:  —THE 
COAST   OF   AmARACA-PANA. 

Whatever  transgressions  the  Admiral  had  com- 
mitted; in  consequence  of  being  made  Viceroy  of 
the  West  Indies, — a  trying  position,  requiring  much 
experience;  of  which  he  never  had  any, — were 
promptly  forgiven  him  by  the  Crown,  who  were 
obliged  in  justice  to  hear  the  complaints  of  her 
subjects.  He  was  granted  a  royal  coat  of  arms,  on 
which  were  engraved  the  islands  he  had  discovered. 
These  had  become  known  as  the  Columbian  archi- 
pelago.^ We  do  not  know  if  the  "Camercan 
Islands  "-  referred  to  the  American  islands,  appearing 


2  Mercater's  Map  Camercane  insule. 


spoken  all  over  the  world,  because  it  has  been  accepted  as  the  tongue  which  must  be 
used  by  all  nations,  in  their  official  communications.  When  (Christians  became 
powerful  enough  to  make  their  language  international,  they  introduced  their  re- 
ligion also,  and  so  did  the  Americans,  who  preached  Amaru,  or  the  cross — to  which 
we  will  refer  presently  —and  consequently  we  find  this  faith  all  over  America.*  On 
Mercater's  map,  may  be  observed  the  name  of  the  Aruaccas,  given  to  the  country  be- 
hind the  golden  castle  mountains,  on  the  coast  of  Amaraca-pana.  The  chief  god  of 
these  people  is  Hua-Amaracou,  and  they  were  neighbors  of  the  Ca-iribs,  in  whose 
houses  there  was  always  a  Maraca  or  Taniaraka,f  which  was  the  name  of  their 
household  god,  and  when  shakenhy  the  priests,  the  great  Spirit  spoke  through  them. t 
They  were  placed  on  the  ground,  adorned  with  feathers,  and  meat  and  wine  was 
placed  before  them,  which  the  people  thought  they  eat.  Purchas  says  that  on  the 
coast  of  Amaraca-pana  "among  their  many  idols  and  figures  which  they  honour 
as  gods,  they  have  one  like  St.  Andrewes  crosse  which  they  thought  preserved 
them  from  night-spirita  and  they  hanged  it  on  their  new-borne  children."  These 
Maraoas  or  Tamarakas  were  rattles  t  no  doubt  of  the  Amaru  or  rattlesnake,  and  so 
we  find  the  sacred  cross,  or  Amaru,  among  all  the  Amaracan  nations.  The  chief  god 
at  Hayti,  where  Columbus  resided,  was  also  Hua-Amaracon — written  Amanacon  by 
the  Spaniards. 

*  See  our  unabridged  Edition.  t  Purchas  Edn.  1617  A.  D.,  p.  1017-38. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


115 


on  the  arms  of  Columbus,  but  the  Spanish  Govern- 
ment prohibited  trading  on  the  coast  of  Amaraca 


AKIIOEIALS   OF  COLUMBUS.^ 


or  ^7waraca-pana;  which  he  had  sailed  along,  before 


(^  By  favor  of  Winsor's  Narrative  and  Crit.  Hist,  of  U.  S.,p.  15,  Vol.  II. 


IIG  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

others  arrived,  calling  it  the  "  pearl  coast,"  ^  having 
found  the  first  gold  and  pearls  there;  which  were 
sent  to  Spain  announcing  his  discovery. 

Other  navigators  were  only  permitted — with  this 
prohihition — to  follow  the  admiral;  in  order  to  anti- 
cipate England,  who  had  sent  vessels  to  America.'- 

The  object  of  the  voyage  of  Ojeda;  was  to  dis- 
cover the  coast  on  both  sides  of  the  land,  supposed 
to  have  been  found  by  the  Britains,  in  order  to  limit 
their  claim. ^  But  his  nephew  traded  within  the 
reserved  discovery,  and  was  condemned  to  lose  all  his 
property,  at  a  irial  held  at  Haiti,  which  were  restored 
to  him  on  appealing  to  the  Crown.* 

The  dozens  of  early  maps  which  have  been  ex- 
amined, also  contain  the  statement,  that  the  new  world 
was  discovered  by  Columbus,  who  was  grateful  to 
the  Crown  for  their  protection  of  his  discoveries  and 
supposed  gold  mines,  which  we  learn  by  the  folio w- 

1  Navarrete,  Vol.  I,  p.  253. 

■2  Ojeda's  appointment  as  Governor  of  Coquibacoa*  (8  June,  1501)  prohibited 
his  trading,  "  beginning  at  Paria,  where  the  Monks  are,  the  bay  opposite  the  isle 
of  Marguarita,  and  the  other  part  of  the  coast,  to  the  small  pointed  island  in  the 
sea,  and  all  the  land  called  Citr;ana."t  Another  historiant  says,  that  "  a  few  days 
after  Ojeda  bad  sailed,  that  Guerra  left,  guided  by  the  same  chart,  (a  copy  of 
Columbus'§)  and  arrived,  tollowing  him  to  the  lands  of  Paria  and  Maraca-pana, 
where  he  disregarded  the  prohibition  from  trading  in  the  discoveries  of  the 
Admiral,"  called  the  coast  of  "Maracapana,  which  also  included  the  surrounding 
islands, "II  notably  Margarita,  the  first  visited. 

*  Navarrete,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  85. 

t  This  name— probably  intended  for  Curiana— which  is  shown  on  Mercater's 
map  ad.ioiuiug  the  supposed  district  of  Coquivacoa.  The  third  map  of  Codazzi 
places  Curiana  at  the  western  end  of  the  Coast  of  Maraca-pana,  or  America. 

t  Oviedo,  y  Banos,  p.  312.  §  Herrera.  II  Piedrahita,  p.  65. 

3  Navarrete,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  86.  J  Navarrete,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  28. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  \Yl 

ing  extract,  from  his  last  letter  to  King  Ferdinand:^ 
*'  Gold  is  a  thing  very  necessary  to  your  Majesty,  for 
to  accomplish  an  ancient  prediction,  Jerusalem  ought 
to  be  rebuilt  by  a  Prince  of  the  Spanish  monarchy. 
Gold  is  the  most  excellent  of  metals.  What  be- 
comes of  those  precious  stones  which  they  find  at  the 
€nds  of  the  earth  ?  They  sell  them  and  in  the  end 
they  are  converted  into  gold.  With  gold,  you  can  not 
only  do  all  you  want  in  the  world,  but  you  can  get 
souls  out  of  purgatory  with  it,  and  thus  people  par- 
adise." 

The  great  Admiral  died  at  Valladolid,  in  Spain,  on 
the  26th  of  May,  1506.  Later  on,  his  remains  were 
removed  to  Seville,  and  in  1536,  to  the  island  of  Saint 
Domingo,  which  was  ceded  to  France  in  1795,  when 
they  were  taken  to  the  cathedral  of  Havannah, 
where  they  now  rest.  "  To  Castile  and  Leon, 
Columbus  gave  a  new  world "  was  the  inscription 
placed  on  his  tomb  by  the  Spanish  government. 

One  cause  of  the  various  ways  in  which  the 
ancient  name  of  America  was  w^ritten,  is,  that  the 
natives — who  had  no  alphabet — wrote  pictures  of 
their  ideas,  as  all  the  early  nations  did— becoming 
the  origin  of  our  alphabet,  which  is  only  an  abbre- 
viated form  of  the  original  pictures.  When  the  na- 
tive American  wrote  the  sacred  word  "Amaru''  he 
drew  a  cross,  and  so  did  the  Aymaras  for  their  name, 
and  this  with  the  sign  for  ca,  or  land,  was  America; 

1  Humboldt  Relations  Historique,  Vol.  I,  p.  618. 


118  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

about  which  there  could  not  be  any  error,  but,  every 
European  spelled  the  name  with  different  letters, 
which  he  supposed  to  be  more  correct  than  his  neigh- 
bor, who  was  left  to  guess  what  was  meant.  The 
native  American  could  not  make  this  mistake,  for  he 
had  no  alphabet. 

A  few  illustrations  will  show,  how  simple  and  re- 
liable the  ancient  system  was. 

As  soon  as  the  mind  was  unable  to  remember 
everything ;  writing  was  suggested  by  necessity. 
We  do  not  know  how  long  our  ancestors  lived  on 
earth,  before  they  had  arrived  at  the  state  of  per- 
fection, that  they  knew  more  than  they  could  re- 
late within  a  given  space  of  time,  but  we  are  certain^ 
that  such  a  state  of  things  existed  sooner  or  later;, 
because  we  have  examples  of  the  primitive  style  of 
writing  which  was  carved  on  rocks,  or  in  caves,  or 
on  gold,  and  instead  of  writing  as  we  do,  for  ex- 
ample;— "that  a  man  went  out  to  ride,  and  that  the 
horse  kicked  and  threw  him,  on  his  way  home," 
the  primitive  nations  simply  drew  the  outlines  of  a 
horse,  with  his  hind  legs  in  a  vertical  line  with  his 
head,  while  the  rider  lay  on  the  ground,  some  dis- 
tance off  from  a  house  or  hut.  This  told  the  sad 
story. 

As  an  illustration  of  what  may  be  done,  by  this 
simple  means  of  communication,  we  have  taken  the 
following;  from  the  work  of  Baron  La  Hontain,  a 
missionary  of  the  seventeenth  century  in  Canada, 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  \\o, 

who  took  a  copy  of  an  account  of  a  battle  by  the 
Huron  tribe,  who  were  attacked  by  the  French, 

"The  French  (a  French  flag)  are  ready  for  war, 
(an  axe).  Tliey  number  110  men,  (11  dots,  each 
counted  10)  and  marched  from  (a  bird  flying)  Mon- 
treal, (a  mountain,  the  present  French  name  means 
Mount  Eoyal  or  Montreal,)  during  the  first  week  of 
(first  quarter  of  the  moon)  July,  (a  stagg,  as  they 
were  then  most  numerous,)  and  embarking  sailed 
(a  boat)  for  four  days,  (four  huts,  a  man  entered  his 
hut  at  the  end  of  every  day,)  and  then  marched 
(a  foot)  for  three  days  (three  huts)  until  within  the 
distance  of  (a  hand  pointing)  three  days  (three  huts) 
of  the  Iroquois,  (armorials  of  that  tribe,  each  had 
their  own.)  They  arrived  to  the  east  of  them  (the 
rising  Sun)  and  surprised  them,  (a  man  lying)  but 
the  Iroquois  (armorials)  killed  (a  club)  forty  (40 
heads  in  a  bow)  of  their  men.  There  was  a  vigor- 
ous resistance  (arrows  flying  towards  each  other); 
one  hundred  (10  dots)  Iroquois  (armorials)  were 
killed,  (heads  in  a  bow)  and  four  hundred  (40  dots) 
were  taken  pi'isoners  (heads  marked)  while  the 
others  fled,"  (arrows  flying  one  way.) 

It  may  thus  be  seen,  what  an  accurate  statement 
can  be  made  by  such  primitive  means,  and  in  this 
way,  the  early  histories  of  the  Earth  were  remem- 
bered, until  the  invention  of  the  alphabet;  introduced 
the  present  phonetic  system.  Before  that,  all  ideas 
were   expressed  by   metaphor,    simile,    contrast  or 


120  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  O RIG IX  OF  THE 

likeness  of  something  similar,  and  all  ne\v  words 
are  still  invented  in  the  same  way.  Take  the  old 
gun  or  itiMskef, — which  is  named  from  the  hawk 
lUHScatus,^ — because  people  caught  the  birds  with 
it,  which  they  used  the  hawk  for,  before  its  inven- 
tion, and  even  now.  when  you  are  requested  to 
shoot,  some  one  says  "let  fly,"  as  if  the  gun  had 
the  wings  of  its  predecessor,  the  hawk,  for  whom 
the  expression  was  used. 

It  is  a  curious  fact,  that  the  American  writing  was 
much  more  reliable  tlian  ours;  as  they  understood 
a  written  word  by  its  sound,  and  also  by  the  picture 
of  its  meaning. 

Let  us  see  results: — the  English  word  glory  was 
originally  kru.  Its  fii^st  change  was  to  klu.  being 
more  easily  pronounced,  and  then  for  the  same 
reason  to  glu.  and  later  to  glor,  which  became 
Latinized  as  gloria,  and  English  as  glory.  How 
difficult  and  uncertain  this  looks,  and  why  did  Kru 
mean  glory?  But  let  us  take  a  pictorial  word.  In 
Mexican,  a  doctor  is  a  man  witli  the  head  of  plant. 
Here,  no  change  is  possible;  for  take  away  either  the 
man,  or  his  vegetable  head,  and  the  doctor  disap- 
peai"s. 

The  Americans  could  not  understand:  why  a  word 
was  written  by  letters  which  were  not  pictures  of  its 
nieauiug,  and  when  the  Mexicans  were  taught  the 
Lord's  prayer  in  Latin,  they  repeated  it  for  some  time 

'  Mflllex.  Chips  from  a  German  Workshop. 


XAM£  OF  AMERICA.  i^l 

with  much  devotion,  and  eventually  began  to  write 
it,  beginning  with  the  first  words,  ''pater  noster," 
each  very  unfortunate  for  them,  as  they  have  not 
any  sound  in  their  language  to  represent  our  letter 
"  E,"*  which  appeared  in  each  of  these  first  words  of 
the  prayer.  Their  writing  as  we  know  is  pictorial, 
and  they  began  thus: 


p  m  ®  m 


Here  we  have  '"  pater  noster.*'  or  rather  they  have 
it,  and  to  those  who  know  the  simplicity  of  prim- 
itive writing,  it  is  easily  translated. 

The  first  sign  is  evidently  a  flag,  which  they  pro- 
nounce pan.  The  next  sign  represents  a  rock  or  stone 
and  is  '*  te."  Xow  we  have^a«fe',  which  was  their 
most  approximate  phonetic  to  pater.  The  third  sign — 
apparently  the  back  of  some  learned  Mexican  head — 
represents  the  native  fig,  called  notch,  and  the  fourth 
sign  we  observe  is  the  same  as  the  second  meaning 
te,  or  noch-te,  which  was  as  near  to  noster  as  they 
could  get,  so  that  in  order  to  learn  the  Latin  pro- 
nunciaiion,  the}- had  to  sketch  a  flag,  a  fig,  and  a 
stone  .^ 

To  write  the  meaning  of  the  woixls  "  our  Father," 

•  RosDT.    Les  ecritures,  p.  19. 


123  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

they  simply  drew  a  cross,  meaning  God,  but  of 
course  this  would  not  have  given  them  the  Latin 
sound  which  they  wished  to  learn. 

But  long  before  the  ancients  had  such  advanced 
ideas  as  these,  they  began  by  writings  of  sim- 
phcity,  and  probably— like  all  other  juvenile  cali- 
graphers— their  first  idea  was  to  write  their  own 
names,  or  in  other  words,  to  make  a  sketch  of  • 
themselves,  and  in  the  earliest  forms  of  pictorial 
writing,  we  find  the  sign  which  meant  man,^  always 
drawn  with  outstretched  arms,  like  the  Chinese  mode 


CHILD   IN   CHINESE.  MOTHER   IN    CHINESE.  EGYPTIAN   SIGN  FOR  LIFE. 

of  writing  the  word  child,  or  mother,  or  the  Egyptian 
sign  meaning  living,  and,  as  man  ivas  the  image 
of  God,^  the  cross  became  the  most  sacred  sign  of 
all  the  chief  nations  of  the  ancient  world. ^ 

1  Bosny.     Les  ecritures,  p.  19.  2  Old  Testament,  ch.  1.  v.  26. 

".  Some  authors  say  that  the  cross  meant  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe,  but  this 
is  an  error,  for  it  w  s  almost  invariably  written  to  represent  a  man,  and  hence  the 
four  lines  were  not  of  equal  length.  Others  suggest  that  it  is  emblematic  of  the 
sun  and  adored  by  sun  worshippers,  but  none  of  the  great  nations  were  sun  wor- 
shippers. The  Mexicans  say  that  Votan  taught  them  to  worship  a  Supreme  Deity, 
whom  he  called  "  the  God  of  all  truth."  The  Veda  says:  "That  which  is  one,  the 
wise  call  him  many,"  while  the  nine  Egytian  gods  were  only  said  to  be  the  self- 
development  of  Ea.  The  Greeks  said  that  Appollo  was  a  divine  being,  living  in 
the  sun,  while  part  of  the  Huron  prayer  was:  "Vouchsafe  uuto  us  the  light  of  the 
8un,  which  speaks  thy  grandeur  and  power."  Outward  ceremonies  which  were 
wholly  unwarrdnta^gf  tenbecame  popular.   In  Buddism,  there  is  no  authority  for 


wajTdnta^af  ten: 


NAME  01'  AMERICA. 


ST.    AMERICA. 


123 


The  most  illustrious  national  name  of  America 
was  therefore  sacred  to  her  people,  written  in  their 
pictorial  writing  by  a  snake  crossing  a  straight  line 
and  called  Amaru.^— the  great  Sun— which  began  to 
mean  anything  sacred  at  a  later  period,  and  when  an 
American  went  nearer  to  any  of  the  temples  than 
the  law  permitted,  the  pohce  said  "amarac"'  stop, 
don't  do  that,  for  these  were  the  temples  of  their 
King  who  was  also  the  spiritual  chief,  and  this  was 
the  name — given  to  the  southern  continent— which 
first  appeared  in  1541,  on  the  map  of  Gerard  Mer- 
cater— a  subject  of  Charles  V,— by  whom  he  was  em- 
ployed to  make  charts— and  a  pupil  of  Frisuis,  whom 
he  consulted.  ^ 

Since   Frisuis  had   published   his  map   in  1525, 

1  In  Egyption  the  cross  is  Am,  and  the  sun  Ra.  In  America,  the  snake— whose 
quivering  movements  resembled  lightning,  and  its  rattles  the  thunder — represented 
the  sun.     This  is  the  meaning  given  in  the  chief  mythological  works. 

3  Del  Canto,  Arte  y  vocabulario.  If  a  word  should  appear  to  be  unchanged  for 
centuries,  that  fact  would  be  good  proof  that  the  modern  and  old  word  was  not  the 
same.  Take  the  german  word  for  bad  i.  e.  sohlecht  which  meant  good  a  few  cen- 
turies ago.    It  went  from  good  to  innocent,  simple,  foolish,  wicket,  bad. 

3  Beeton. 

one-half  of  their  ceremonials.  Chaki  Mouni — called  Buddha  or  the  Saint  in  sancrit 
— said  that  life  was  pain,  and  that  one  could  only  get  out  of  it  by  leading  niue  con- 
secutive good  lives;  otherwise  the  soul  always  returned  to  inhabit  another  body. 
After  the  ninth  good  life  the  soul  went  into  nirvana,  i.  e  ,  ceased  to  exist.  In  Bra- 
hamism,*  the  Rig  Veda  says,  the  widow  "  shall  o^e?-  ^acri^ce  "  at  the  alter.  This 
was  translated  "  shall  be  sacrificed,"  which  cost  millions  of  lives  until  the  error 
was  recently  discovered.  Some  years  ago  we  noticed  a  sign  painted  on  the  walls 
in  various  quarters  of  Paris,  France,  "  the  worship  of  the  Virgin  is  prohibited," 
and  80  it  is  all  the  world  over;  that  the  illiterate  often  take  the  emblem  for  the 
original. 

*  Prof.  Max  Miiller  Chips,  etc.  . •  ^_    ^ 


124  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

some  of  the  Spaniards  had  married  Americans  at 
Tumbez,  to  whom  Pizarro  returned,  spending  five 
months  with  these  new  subjects  of  the  King  of 
America,  while  laying  the  plans  of  his  future  capt- 
ure. They  had  found  that  the  King  was  sacred  to 
his  people,  and  therefore  if  they  could  only  secure 
him — holding  out  the  prospect  of  release,  or  a  threat 
to  put  his  brother — the  rightful  heir — on  the  throne 
in  default  of  ransom,  that  the  long  sought  for  golden 
land  might  yet  become  an  accomplished  fact.  These 
ideas  were  carried  out  and  the  results  as  we  have 
seen,  more  than  fully  realized  the  most  sanguine 
expectations. 

Mercator  had  the  benefit  of  this  information.^ 

THE   MOST   FAMOUS     MONARCH   OF   THAT   PERIOD 
BAPTIZES   AMERICA. 

Charles  I,  King  of  Spain,  who  was  also  Charles 
V,  Emperor  of  Germany,  was  the  high  priest  who 
gave  the  Western  hemisphere  its  name. 

King  Ferdinand — the  Prince  consort  of  Queen 
Isabella — had  died  in  1516,  and  his  grandson — born 
at  Ghent,  in  Belgium,  ascended  the  throne  at  the 
age  of  sixteen,  and  subsequently  married  a  daughter 

^  He  had  found  that  Ojeda's  Coqui-Vacoa  was  Chibchi-vacoa, — as  shown  on  his 
map, — the  name  of  the  royal  race  of  Cundin- Amarca,  and  that  Pizarro's  brother  had 
arrived  from  Cax — Amarca,  both  of  which  kingdoms  received  Spanish  names.  The 
native  name  had  already  appeared  in  large  letters  on  previous  maps,  but  he  omits 
it,  and  also  the  isle  of  Tamaragna,  writing  the  name  of  America  over  the  entire 
continent. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  ^25 

of  Emmanuel,  King  of  Portugal,  eventually  becom- 
ing the  greatest  monarch  of  his  day. 

His  favorite  saying,  in  describing  these  vast 
dominions  was  ;  that  "the  sun  never  set  in  them.'^ 
The  monarch's  crest  was  two  globes;  and  two  pillars 
of  Hercules — the  former  name  of  Gibraltar — ap- 
peared on  his  coins,  denoting  the  Western  limit  of 
Europe  to  which  his  sceptre  extended — with  the 
motto,  "more  beyond,"^ — meaning  his  American 
globe. 

Pizarro  had  despatched  his  brother  in  1533,  from 
Cax-Amaraca  ;  to  lay  three  millions  in  gold  at  the 
feet  of  this  famous  sovereign,  which  had  caused  the 
rush  to  search  Cundin-Amaraca  in  1534,  where  the 
two  Governors,  Quesada  from  Quito,  and  Balcazar 
from  Popayan,  met  Federmann  from  Amaraca-pana, 
representing  the  great  German  firm  of  Velsers, 
friends  of  the  Emperor. 

The  celebrated  Sebastian  Cabot  who  had  sailed 
to  America  for  England,  went  to  reside  in  Spain 
(1509),  on  the  invitation  of  the  late  King  Ferdinand  — 
father-in  law  of  Henry  VIH  of  England— who  had 
made  him  one  of  the  Spanish  Council  of  the  Indies, 
and  Senior  pilot  some  years  later.  It  is  in  his  map 
that  the  name  of  Bogota,  the  capital  of  Cundin- 
Amaraca  appears. 

The  Spaniards  had  their  principalities  of  New 
Granada,    New  Castile,    the    West   Indies,    Golden 

1  Plus  ultra. 


126  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

Castles,  ill  the  Western  hemisphere,  but  they  wanted 
a  general  name  to  include  all  these  possessions. 

When  the  great  German  merchants  had  reported 
to  their  Emperor,  that  Bogota  the  capital  of  the 
kingdom  of  Cundin-^?;mraca  was  the  city  to  which 
their  agent  went  from  J.?/ia?'aca-pana  for  treasure — 
when  it  was  known  that  Amaraca-pana  on  the  At- 
lantic was  the  nearest  port  to  the  mountains  called 
"Golden  Castles,"  and  the  name  of  the  mainland 
first  seen  by  Columbus  and  held  for  him  by  the 
Monarch's  grandfather  —  when  they  found  that 
Tamaragua  was  the  name  of  the  mainland  or 
Amaraca,  now  called  Maraca-'iho — when  Pizarro 
told  him  of  the  imprisonment  of  Huascar  at  And- 
Amarca—ot  his  death  in  the  river  Andi- Amarca—oi 
the  holy  city  of  Amaraca — of  their  ancestors  the 
Aymaras  of  Aymaraca, — of  the  cross  or  Amaru, 
worn  during  the  initiation  of  the  royal  family  as 
children  of  the  sun — of  the  famous  royal  palace  of 
Amaru,  prepared  to  receive  Pizarro,  by  the  King, 
who  afterwards  filled  one  of  its  rooms  with  gold, 
three  millions  of  which  lay  at  the  monarch's  feet,  it 
was  only  a  just  tribute,  a  golden  debt  of  gratitude, 
to  erect  an  everlasting  monument,  a  gigantic  histor- 
ical statue,  always  on  the  lips  of  the  universe,  in 
honor  of  the  late  Vice-King  and  Lord  High  Admiral 
Don  Christopher  Columbus,  by  instructing  his  carto- 
grapher Gerard  Mercater,  to  write  over  the  entire 
southern  contineyit,  His  "plus  ultra,"  a  world  on  His 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  127 

crest,  the  name  of  America,  where  it  appeared — so 
far  as  we  know — for  the  first  time  in  this  atlas  issued 
in  1541,  to  which  was  added  the  remark  "  many  still 
call  it  New  India.  "^ 

In  1555,  the  illustrious  Monarch — abdicating  the 
Kingdom  in  favor  of  his  son  Philip,  and  the  Empire 
to  his  brother — entered  a  Spanish  monastery  where 
He  died  three  years  later. 

We  find  therefore,  the  Western  hemisphere  named 
America,  in  honor  of  Columbus,  from  the  land  he  first 
discovered  which  was  reserved  for  him,  and  the 
sacred  national  name  of  its  great  nation,  whose 
temple  of  J.?>iari{-cancha  was  unsurpassed  in  riches 
by  any  in  the  world,  and  whose  roads,  the  great 
Humboldt  "did  not  hesitate  to  designate,  as  "the 
most  beautiful  and  stupendous  works  ever  executed 
by  man."  Well  could  he  have  asserted,'  "that  only 
at  Quito,  Peru,  (the  kingdom  of  Amaraca  at  the 
time  of  the  Spanish  conquest,)  Mexico,  (claiming 
the  same  origin  as  the  Americans)  and  Cundin- 
Amaraca,  were  to  be  found  traces  of  antique  civi- 
lization." 

'  amultis  hodie  noua  India  dicta. 

The  maps  made  for  Charles  V,  are  supposed  to  be  dated  1527-29,  and  we  have 
only  been  able  to  find  circumstantial  evidence  that  Jlercater  wrote  the  name  of 
America  over  the  Southern  Continent  by  the  King's  command. 

2  Humboldt,  Vol.  II.  a  Humboldt,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  58. 


128  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

EFFECT   OF   THE   REPORTS   OF   AMERICAN   GOLD   MINES 
ELSEWHERE. 

The  intense  excitement  in  Spain,  created  by  the 
treasure  found  at  Cax-Amaraca,  can  be  imagined 
by  the  effect  of  the  news  elsewhere.  In  England, 
information  from  the  Spanish  discoveries  was 
eagerly  looked  for,  and  their  books  were  translated 
as  soon  as  they  could  be  obtained.  In  the  year 
1613,  a  work  appeared,  giving  the  most  minute  par- 
ticulars of  American  laws  and  religions,' geneology, 
customs,  and  the  Spanish  captures,  New  Editions 
were  issued  the  year  following  and  in  1617.  This 
work  was  named  after  the  author,  "  Purchas,  his 
pilgrimage,  or  Relations  of  the  world  and  the  re- 
ligions observed  in  all  ages  and  places  discouered 
from  the  creation  unto  this  present.  Printed  for 
Henrie  Featherstone,  and  are  to  be  solde  at  his 
shoppe  in  Pauls  cliarch-yard  at  the  Signe  of  the 
Rose."  Later  on  Sir  Paul  Rycaut  published  several 
volumes  in  English,  from  the  works  of  Garcilasso 
de  Vega,  an  American  noble  who  wrote  the  history 
of  his  country  in  Spanish.  After  strenuous  efforts 
to  obtain  permission  to  trade  in  Spanish  America, 
"  The  South  Sea  Company  '"  was  inaugurated  by  the 
Earl  of  Oxford,^  in  1711.  It  was  called  after  the 
Pacific;  first     known    by    that     name,-    and    they 

'  Memoirs  of  Estraonlinary  popular  delusions.  Vol.  I. 

2"  Mar  del  Zur  "  Sur,  They  bad  a  royal  charter  and  a  crest  representinf;  a  cornu- 
copia, out  of  which  money  was  falliug  into  the  (JIar  del  Zur)  South  Sea. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


129 


were  given  a  monopoly  of  the  commerce  there, 
Avhich  it  was  believed  Spain  would  permit,  but  the 
only  grant  they  had,  was  to  send  one  small  vessel 
yearly  to  trade  in  the  Pacific  and  to  supply  the 
colonies  with  negroes  for  thirty  years,  People  were 
so  anxious  to  buy  the  company's  stock,  that  Ex- 
change Alley— the  brokers'  quarter— became  so 
crowded  that  traffic  was  suspended.  A  ballad  pub- 
lished at  the  time,  informs  us  that : — 

"  The  greatest  ladies  thither  came 
And  plied  in  chariots  daily, 
Or  pawned  their  jewels  for  a  sum 
To  venture  in  the  alley." 

The  collapse  of  this  speculation  nearly  brought 
England  to  financial  ruin.  The  Duke  of  Wharton 
insinuated  that  the  Earl  of  Stanhope  was  interested  in 
it,  and  while  replying  in  the  House  of  Lords 
he  had  a  stroke  of  apoplexy  and  expired.  The  de- 
mand for  the  stock  of  the  South  Sea  Company  led 
to  numerous  wild  undertakings,  and  eighty-six  com- 
panies were  oi^ganized,  with  1,700  millions  of  dollars 
as  capital,  according  to  present  money  value.  The 
wildest  ideas  prevailed,  such  as,  "  For  supplying 
London  with  sea  coal," — "For  carrying  on  an  un- 
dertaking of  great  advantage  ;  but  nobody  to  know 
what  it  is, "I  "  For  insuring  from  thefts  and  rob- 
beries." In  France  also,  similar  scenes  were  enacted 
with  the  Mississippi  scheme. 


130  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

WHO   SAID   THAT   AMERICA   WAS   CALLED   AFTER 
AMERIGO    VESPUCCI  ? 

Amerigo  Vespucci  was  a  Florentine — residing  at 
Seville,  Spain — as  the  agent  of  the  celebrated  com- 
mercial firm  of  Juanoti  Berardi  of  Italy — dming 
the  period  when  Columbus  discovered  the  Western 
hemisphere,  and  being  anxious  to  see  it,  he  was  per- 
mitted to  go  with  Ojeda;  who  sailed  on  the  20th 
May,  1499.  Being  a  foreigner,  there  was  probably 
some  difficulty ;  as  they  were  prohibited  by  the 
government  from  going  to  the  new  discoveries^ 
(1495),  and  it  is  possibly  for  this  reason,  that  Ojeda 
explains  that  he  took  him,  "  being  learned  in  navi- 
gation and  universal  geography."  ^ 

As  we  have  seen,  Amaraca-pa«a — the  only  place 
where  Ojeda  was  favorably  received  during  the 
voyage  that  A.merigo  Vespucci  was  with  him  "  and 
treated  like  an  angel "  ^ — became  the  first  settlement 
of  the  Spaniards,^  and  was  the  name  of  that  coast.* 
All  these  navigators  wrote  accounts  of  their  voyages, 
but  they  were  more  at  home  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean, 
while  Vespucci's  ship  was  his  inkstand,  and  histori- 
ans have  related  how  much  he  w^rote,  possibly  en- 
deavoring to  gain  by  the  sale  of  his  books — which 
had  become  conspicuous  by  the  similarity  of  his 
name  with  that  of  the  continent — what  he  probably 

1  Navarrete.  2  Herrera,  Vol.  I.,Voyage  Ojeda. 

s  Humboldt.  4  Codazzi.  Ovieda  y  Baiios,  etc. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  13 1 

supposed  had  been  lost  by  the  law  prohibiting  for- 
eigners from  participating  in  voyages  to  America. 

The  Egyptians  told  the  Greeks,  that  an  immense 
island  named  "Atlantis"  larger  than  Asia  and 
Europe,  had  disappeared,^  and  when  Columbus 
found  America,  he  recalled  this,"  Vespucci  also 
seems  to  have  referred  to  it,'  and  Sir  Thomas 
Moore,*  who  says  that  the  Western  hemisphere  was 
discovered  by  a  friend  of  Vespucci's, — probably 
Columbus — had  also  Atlantis  in  view. 

Possibly  the  act  reserving  the  new  discoveries  for 
Spaniards,  had  caused  the  Florentine  to  leave  Spain, 
but  he  returned  in  1505,  and  Columbus  gave  him  a 
letter  in  February  to  his  son;  of  whom  he  asked  aid 
for  him.®  In  April,  he  became  a  naturalized  Spanish 
subject,  and  received  authority  for  Berardi  to  dis- 
patch ships  to  the  West  Indies.  His  letters  are 
said  to  have  been  sent  to  the  Duke  of  Lorraine, 
who  apparently  saw  in  the  name  of  Amaraca- 
pana  or  "America,"  the  evidence  of  the  new 
continent's  discovery  by  Amerigo  Vespucci,  and  the 
Duke's  secretary,  Walter  Ludd,  wrote  a  pamphlet  of 
four  pages  (1507),  suggesting  that  the  new  world  be 
named  after  him,  as  he  had  discovered  it.  It  is 
hardly  possible  that  people  of  education,  would  have 
attempted  to  propose  a  name  for  territory,  in  which 


1  Solon  ap.  Plato.        2  Navarrete.        3  Ptolemy,  1508.        *  Utopia,  Edn.  1551. 
5  Navarrete.  "Con  Amerigo  Vespuchy  te  escrebi,  procura  que  te  envie  la  carta, 
salvo  si  ya  la  hobistes." 


132  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  01  THE 

they  had  not  the  sHghtest  interest;  unless  they  had 
assumed  that  their  proposition  had  ah-eady  been 
practically  carried  out,  which  they  were  led  to  sup- 
pose from  the  similarity  of  name.  In  1508,  Vespucci 
became  a  Senior  Spanish  pilot,  and  three  years  later, 
the  government  prohibited  the  sale  of  maps  to  for- 
eigners. Las  Casas — who  wrote  a  history  in  1527, — 
informs  us  that  he  was  said  to  have  written  the 
name  of  America  on  the  map,  which, — as  we  have 
seen — was  perfectly  correct.  It  was  Spain  therefore, 
who  adopted  the  native  name  of  her  new  coast  of 
Amaraca-pana  or  "America,"  and  Charles  V,  gave 
it  to  his  new  world;  while  outsiders — from  whom  all 
information  had  been  prohibited — are  the  only 
people  to  whom  historians  can  refer,  in  justification 
of  their  assertion  that  Vespucci  named  America. 

It  is  a  curious  coincidence,  that  the  nam'es  of  the 
two  countries — America  and  China — guarding  the 
Pacific  ocean,  have  appeared  in  history  for  centuries, 
before  the  men  lived,  who  are  said  to  have  named 
them.  The  celestial  kingdom  is  said  to  have  been 
called  after  the  royal  family  of  Tsin^  (200  b.  c.) 
which  Eoman  historians  have  taught  us  to  pro- 
nounce China,  and — as  if  by  way  of  adding  insult 
to  injury — they  have  created  much  confusion,  by 
calling  their  greatest  philosopher,  Confucius,  which 

1  We  may  observe  en  passant,  that  "  Sin  "  means  God  in  Japanese,  and  heart  in 
Chinese,  but  of  course  phonetics  will  not  explain  its  meaning;  unless  agreeing 
with  the  morphological  construction  of  the  sign.  All  early  nations  considered 
their  lands  holy,  and  the  heart  or  center  of  the  earth. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA. 


133 


does  not  look  much  like  his  name  :— Kung-tze, 
meaning  the  master.  A  historian  of  the  middle 
ages  who  did  not  make  mistakes,  was  a  most  un- 
fashionable being— which  none  of  them  can  be  ac- 
cused of.  And  as  soon  as  ilmy  had  decided  that 
Amerigo  Vespucci  must  have  named  Amaraca  or 
America— in  consequence  of  the  similarity  of  name; 
and  that  this  was  positive  evidence  of  its  discovery  by 
him,  they  began  to  correct  what  they  supposed  to 
be  the  errors  of  their  contemporaries,  the  first  of 
which  seemed  to  be  a  serious  blunder;  for  it  gave  to 
Columbus;  the  honor  of  the  discovery  of  the  Western 
hemisphere,  and  concluding  that  two  voyages  of 
Vespucci  had  been  made  into  one,  they  divided  them, 
giving  to  one  the  date  of  l-i99,  and  to  the  other 
1497,  being  a  year  before  Columbus.^  Europe  was 
anxiously  looking  for  news  of  the  famous  lands 
where  the  gold  grew,  and  Ludd's  pamphlet  was  in 
demand,  and  copied  everywhere  for  publication.  This 
little  sheet  spoke  of  four  voyages  made  by  Vespucci;' 
two  from  Spain,  and  two  from  Portugal,  wliich  was  re- 
ferred to  in  England,  at  a  later  period,  as  "  Those  four 
voyages  that  be  nowe  in  printe  and  abrode  in  every 
mannes  handes."'  Spain  did  not  notice  these  re- 
ports about  her  new  possessions,  having  refused  to 
give  foreigners  any  information. 

Nothing  however  proves  more  conclusively,  that 
the  mistake  of  Ludd  was  discovered  and  corrected; 

i  Humboiat  Examen  Critique.  2  Sir  Thos.  Moore  Utopia  Ed.  1551. 


134  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

than  the  map  published  in  1512 — by  the  same  people 
who  issued  the  pamphlet  referred  to — in  which  it 
is  specially  stated,  that  the  Western  hemisphere  was 
found  by  Columbus. 

This  ought  to  have  been  satisfactory;  but  it  was 
not  so  to  the  compatriots  of  Vespucci — who  wrote 
book  after  book  on  the  nautical  deeds  of  our 
"  Amerigo  "  as  they  called  him,  and  over  the  gate  of 
a  college  in  Florence,  which  one  of  his  ancestors  had 
endowed  in  the  thirteenth  century,  there  is  an  in- 
scription, stating  that  Amerigo  Vespucci;  the  dis- 
coverer of  America,  had  once  lived  there.  ^ 

If  the  early  writers  on  this  subject  had  only  in- 
quired whether  Vespucci  had  named  America,  they 
would  have  been  saved  the  trouble  of  proving  that 
he  did  not  discover  it.  Viscount  Santarem,  had 
over  hundred  thousand  documents  examined  in  the 
royal  archives  of  Portugal,  relating  to  voyages 
of  discovery ;  (1495-1503)  none  of  which  mention 
his  name,  while  Munoz  found  among  the  records 
of  money  paid  for  preparing  western  expeditions 
in  Spain,  that  from  April  1497,  to  May  1498 
— the  period  when  the  supposed  expedition  before 
Columbus  is  alleged  to  have  taken  place — he  was 
engaged  in  equipping  the  fleet  for  the  Admiral's 
third  voyage.  Ojeda,  with  whom  he  first  sailed,  has- 
sworn  as  witness  in  a  law  suit,  that  he  himself 
arrived  on  the  continent  after  Columbus;"'  while  a 

'  Humboldt.  2  Humboldt  Navarrete,  vol.  Ill,  Coleccion. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  135 

letter  supposed  to  have  been  written  by  Vespucci, 
states  that  "his  first  voyage  was  made"  by  Royal 
command— which  was  necessary,  as  foreigners  were 
prohibited. 

It  was  customary  for  historians  of  that  age  to- 
correct  supposed  errors,  in  a  very  summary  way;  of 
which  there  are  many  instances. 

Some  mediaeval  cartographers,  saw  the  Arabic 
name  of  Dina  Mograbin  on  a  map,  and  concluding 
that  one  word  was  enough  for  a  small  isle;  they  cut 
an  unfortunate  little  island  in  two  by  a  stroke  of 
the  pen;  but  navigators  continued  to  sail  over  one 
of  them,  until  it  disappeared  without  explanation 
from  the  map — the  only  place  it  had  ever  existed — 
and  the  name  Dina  Mograbin  or  Western  Isle  was 
duly  restored  to  the  rightful  owner.  ^  While  another 
geographer,  seeing  that  Bermuda  was  called  Sum- 
mer's isle — after  a  navigator  of  that  name,  who 
thought  that  he  had  discovered  it — and  ruminating 
over  the  long  tropical  summers;  wrote  it  "Isle  of 
the  Summer,"  and  still  another — seeing  the  name  of 
Erin^  in  Trindad — concluded  that  an  Irish  family  had 
lived  there.  And  so  it  is,  that  similarity  of  name 
is  constantly  leading  to  mistake. 

It  is  not  for  us  to  unravel  the  mediaeval  attempts 
to  explain  the  cause — which  never  existed — of  Ves- 
pucci's having  named  this  Continent.     He  died  in 

1  Malte-Brun,  Erin  or  R,  the  universal  sign  for  the  sun,  is  more  frequently 
found   in  Am-eri-ca  than  in  any  other  quarter  of  the  globe. 


136-  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

1512.  The  Spaniards  continued  their  conquests;  and 
finding  that  America  was  the  national  name  of  the 
Southern  Continent,  the  Government  adopted  it. 
No  explanation  was  given — as  far  as  we  know — few 
people  knew  it;  but  the  Italians  continued  to  point 
to  their  great  compatriot,  which  induced  a  host  of 
biographers  to  stick  their  pens  into  his  reputation, 
and  also  their  ink,  in  an  endeavour  to  prove  a 
similarity  of  color.  Others  like  Humboldt,  have  de- 
fended him — pleading  a  historical  mistake,  while 
some  have  questioned  his  name^  of  Amerigo— of 
which  there  is  positive  evidence — because  it  was 
written  as  usual  in  that  age  in  many  different  ways. 
Columbus  was  the  pioneer  who  introduced  the 
Western  hemisphere  to  the  mediaeval  world  in  1498, 
but  England  apparently,  put  in  a  previous  claim"  by 
Cabot's  discovery  on  the  24  June  1497.  Then 
comes  the  pamphlet  from  Germany,  giving  Ves- 
pucci's departure  on  the  10th  of  May  1497,  on  be- 
half of  the  King  of  Spain — which  sends  Cabot's 
claim  higher  than  a  kite,  but  now  comes  a  copy  of 
his  map  found  at  Oxford — another  in  Germany,  and 
another  at  Paris,  with  the  date  of  his  discovery  as 
5  A.  M.  24th  June  1494 — wiiich  completely  dislocates 
Vespucci — while  each  nation  claims  him  as  a  sub- 
ject. Eden  says  "  Sebastian  Cabotte  tould  me  that 
he  was  borne  in  Bristovve,  and  that  at  four  yeare 
olde,  he  was  carried  with  his  father  to  Venice,"  but 

>  See  Nation  p.  310,  1881.  2  Ptolemy  1508. 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  137 

the  diary  of  the  Venetian  Ambassador  states,  that 
he  was  born  in  Venice,  and  bred  in  England. 

King  Ferdinand  invited  him  to  Spain,  and  he  com- 
manded an  expedition  to  the  River  Plate,  (1527)  re- 
maining there  sev^eral  years  before  returning,  but 
England  issued  a  warrant  (9  Oct.  1557)  "for  the 
transporting  of  one  Shabot,  a  pilot,  to  come  out  of 
Hispain,  to  serve  and  inhabit  in  England  "  where  he 
arrived  next  year — receiving  a  large  pension. 

Charles  V,  applied  unsuccessfully  for  his  return, 
(1550)  and  three  years  later,  sent  an  urgent  demand, 
but  Cabot  refused  to  go.  He  obtained  the  grant 
from  Henry  VII  (5  Mch.  1496),  to  find  a  north  west 
passage  to  China  and  Japan, — the  dream  of  his  life 
— probably  also  inspired  by  the  stories  of  his  famous 
compatriot,  Marco  Polo,  and  it  was  on  this,  that  he 
made  the  voyages  referred  to. 

It  is  very  probable,  that  Spain  was  willing  to  allow 
foreigners — who  had  no  interest  in  her  new  dis- 
coveries— to  retain  the  popular  belief,  that  Vespucci 
had  named  America.  England  had  claimed  part  of 
the  Western  hemisphere  on  Cabots'  discovery,^  who 
called  the  land  Baccalos,  which  Mercater — the  carto- 
grapher of  the  King  of  Spain — puts  just  outside  of 
America.  These  were  the  days  of  ambiguous 
language.  Pizarro  told  the  King  that  he  came  to 
fight  for  him — he  meant  for  the  possession  of  him — 
and  historians  say  that  the  Monarch — looking  for  an 

^  Xavarrete  Colecciou,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  8G.  Ptolemy— 1508. 


138  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE 

opportunity  to  return  the  compliment — pressed  him 
urgently  to  wear  a  pair  of  gold  slippers,  so  that  his 
soldiers  might  be  able  to  recognize  him.  Raleigh 
told  the  Guianians  that  the  Queen  sent  him  to  fight 
for  them,  against  the  Spaniards.  The  mediaeval 
conscience  was  elastic. 

It  is  extraordinary,  that  it  could  have  been  be- 
lieved so  long,  that  a  Senior  pilot,  a  foreigner,  in  the 
employment  of  a  government  who  prohibited  out- 
siders from  sailing  to  the  New  World,  or  even  ob- 
taining maps  of  it,  would  have  been  permitted  to 
give  his  name  to  America,  remaining  in  the  employ- 
ment of  Spain,  and  on  friendly  terms  with  Columbus, 
and  when  we  know,  that  the  only  evidence  that  the 
Western  hemisphere  was  named  after  him,  is  the 
withdrawn  suggestion  of  a  pamphlet  of  four  pages, 
it  is  still  more  remarkable,  specially  when  we  con- 
sider, that  ideas  of  that  age,  were  so  often  printed 
without  the  slightest  reason,  like  the  work  of  Goro- 
pius  Becanus,  who  attempted  to  prove,  that  the  three 
first  languages  used  in  the  Garden  of  Eden,  by  Eve, 
Satan,  and  God,  were  Persian,  French,  and  Swedish. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  mistakes  of  that  dark 
age,  there  was  no  mistake  about  the  fact,  that  it  was 
Charles  V — one  of  the  most  famous  monarchs  of 
the  world — who  gave  his  Western  hemisphere,  one 
of  the  most  illustrious  names  of  antiquity,  and  in- 
stead of  bearing  a  name  unfairly  alleged  to  have 
been  given  by  error  and  deception,   it  is  known  by 


NAME  OF  AMERICA.  139 

one  of  the  most  famous,  the  most  sacred  in  the 
oldest  continent,  not  a  dishonorable  name,  but  ihat 
of  its  chief  nation,  an  empire,  second  to  none  in 
antique  civilization,  originating  like  that  of  Africa, 
the  first  place  known  to  the  Komans,  which  was 
afterwards  given  to  the  continent.  So  Amaraca,  or 
America,  was  the  first  known  name  of  this  hemis- 
phere to  her  Spanish  discoverers,  and  the  only  one, 
among  those  of  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe,  of 
which  the  history  and  origin  has  been  preserved,  so 
far  as  it  is  known  at  present. 

One  of  the  greatest  successes  of  mediaeval  days 
was  its  geographical  errors,  but,  the  Amerigo 
Vespucci  fable,  was  a  highly  respectable  myth  in 
comparison  to  others;  such  as  William  of  Gloucester's 
history,  referring  to  the  monastery  of  St.  Michael's 
Mount  in  Cornwall,  which  he  recorded  as  six  miles 
inland,  and  scientists,  finding  it  at  the  w^ater's  edge, 
used  this  as  proof,  that  the  earth's  axis  was  changing. 

When  the  monks  of  the  abbey  of  Mont  St.  Michel 
ill  France,  went  over  to  England,  with  William  the 
Conqueror,  they  brought  their  books  describing  the 
French  monastery,  one  of  which,  the  good  William 
happened  to  read,  and  thinking  that  it  referred  to 
Saint  Michael's  Mount  in  Cornwall,  invented  what 
gave  philosophers  some  serious  thought,  before 
making  the  discovery,^  and  then  again,  who  would 
be  able  to  convince  us,  that  only  a  century  ago,  let- 

'  See  Miiller  Chips,  etc. 


140  THE  NAME  OF  AMERICA. 

ters  were  addressed  to  New  York,  near  Newport, 
E.  I.,  if  our  good  forefathers  had  not  kept  the 
envelopes  to  show  us.  And  so  it  is,  that  truth  alv/ays 
shines  and  fiction  disappears  in  the  hght. 


1 


^ickari)  ^m^vBfe  m\b  the  |lame  Jlmeriia, 


Bt    ALFKl'li)    F.     HTTDl),    F.S.A..    Hon.    SKCRK,TAr<v, 


Reprinted   from   the   Proceedings  of  the   Clifton    Antiquarian    CI  ill 
Part   xix,   Vol,   vii,   Part   i,  p.    1. 


^-^'^^H-^'' 

fo^:^:-..^ 

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lltchari)  ^meunk  ani)  the  |laine  Jliueuica. 

By   ALFRED   E.    HUDD,   F.S.A.,   Hon.    Secretary. 


(Read  May  21st,  1908.) 

During  the  celebration  of  the  four  hundredth  anniversary 
of  the  discovery  of  the  Continent  of  North  America  by 
John  Cabot,  which  took  place  in  Bristol  in  the  year  1897, 
an  ancient  manuscript,  which  had  then  recently  been  dis- 
covered amoni,^  the  muniments  at  Westminster  Abbey,  was, 
by  permission  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  sent  down  to  Bristol 
for  the  inspection  of  the  Marquis  of  Dufferin  and  others 
interested  in  tlie  celebration.  This  manuscript  was  "'  the 
Customs  Roll  of  the  Port  of  Bristol,  for  A.D.  1496  to 
1499,"  and  its  chief  interest  lay  in  the  fact  that  among 
the  payments  recorded  in  the  years  13  and  14  of  King 
Henry  VII — i.e.,  between  September  29th  1497  and  the  same 
date  1499 — are  two  payments  of  twenty  pounds  each  to 
John    Cabot. 

This  shows,  what  we  did  not  know  previously,^  that 
John  Cabot  returned  to  Bristol  after  his  second  voyage  of 
1498,  and  claimed  the  pension  which  had  been  conferred  by 
the  King  on  "  him  that  found  the  new  Isle,"  %.e.,  North 
America.  So  much  interest  was  taken  in  the  manuscript  in 
Bristol,  that  it  was  arranged  to  repro  luce  it  in  facsimile, 
Mr.  Edward  Scott,  M.A.,  at  that  time  "  Keeper  of  Manuscripts 
in  the  British  Museum,"  undertaking  the  translation  and 
transliteration,  while  I  contributed  a  brief  introduction.  This 
was  published  by  Messrs.    Georges    Sons,    of   Bristol,    in    the 

1  Mr.  Henry  Harrisse,  in  his  "  John  Cabot  tlie  discoverer  of 
North  America,  p.  134,  wrote,  of  the  1498  voyage,  "We  do  not 
know  when  they  returned  to  England,  nay,  whether  John  Cabot 
survived  the  expedition." 


2  Richard   Ameryk 

autumn  of  1897,  under  the  title  of  Tha  Customs  Roll  of 
the  Port  of  Bristol,  A.D.  1496-09,  with  three  autotype  fac- 
amiile  reproductions  of  the  original  document,  full  size. 
Fig.  1  is  an  enlarged  photograph,  by  Mr.  William  Moline, 
of  the  name  of  the  man  from  whom  Cabot  received  his 
pension,  Richard  Ameryk,  as  it  appears  in  the  Roll  for 
1497-8. 

FIG.     1. 

There  is  no  longer  any  doubt  that  on  his  return  from 
his  second  voyage,  John  received  for  the  second  time  the 
handsome  pension  conferred  U])on  him  b\'  the  King,  from 
the  hands  of  the  Collectors  of  Customs  of  lh(;  Port  of 
Bristol.  One  of  these  officials,  the  senior  of  the  two,  who 
probably  was  the  person  who  actually  handed  over  the 
money  to  the  explorer,  was  named  Richard  Amerj^k  (also 
written  Ap  Meryke  in  one  deed)  who  seems  to  have  been  a 
leading  citizen  of  Bristol  at  the  time,  and  was  Sheriff  in 
1503.  Now  it  has  been  suggested  both  by  Mr.  Scott  and 
myself  that  the  name  given  to  the  newly  found  land  by 
the  discoverer  was  "  Amerika,"  in  honour  of  tlie  official  from 
whom  he  received  his  pension.  We  know  from  contemporary 
records  that  John,  on  his  return  from  London  after  his  visit 
to  Court,  was  received  in  Bristol  with  great  honour ;  he 
dressed  in  silk  and  was  called  "  the  Great  Admiral."  And  also 
that,  being  somewhat  over  elated  with  his  triumph,  he 
apparently  made  rather  a  fool  of  himself.  See,  for  instance, 
the  account  of  his  conduct  given  b}'  Raimundo  di  Soncino 
to    the     Duke  of  Milan,    in   December    in   1497.^ 

"  The  Admiral,  as  Master  Joanne  is  styled,  has  given  a 
companion  an  island,  and  has  also  given  another  to  his  barber, 

^  John  aiid  Sebastian  Cabut,  by  C.  R.  Beazley,  London,  1898,  p.  65 


and  the    Name   America.  3 

a  Genoese — some  Italian  friars  have  the  promise  of  being 
bishops,"  etc.  If  John  was  so  free  with  Ids  gifts  to  his 
poorer  friends,  we  can  quite  imder-tand  his  wish  to  show 
gratitude  to  the  King's  official,  and  that  he  may  have  done 
so  by  conferring  his  name  on  "  the  new  island,"  which  was 
then  supposed  to  be  not  a  new  Continent,  but  to  be  situated 
off  the  coast  of  China,  or  India.  Now,  have  we  any  evidence 
that  the  name  America  was  known  in  Bristol  at  this  time  ? 
Possibly  we  have,  or  should  have  if  the  .lost  "Fust  MS." 
could   be  re-discovered. 

There  was  formerh'  in  the  possession  of  the  Fust  family, 
at  Hill  Court,  Gloucestershire,^  a  manuscript  which  has  often 
been    quoted,    but    the    original    of   which    is    lost. 

It  was  one  of  the  "Calendars"  in  which  local  events 
were  recorded,  similar  to  the  well  known  "  Bristowe 
Kalendar"  li'  Robert  Ricart,  and  others  which  still  remain. 
Under  the  m.aj^oral  j'ear,  1496-7,  it  was  recorded  that  John 
Drews  was  Mayor,  Hugh  Johnes,  Sheriff,  Thomas  Vaughan 
and  John  Elyott,  Bailiffs,  and  that  "This  year  (1497),  on 
St.  John  the  Baptist's  day  (June  24th),  the  land  of  America 
was  found  by  the  merchants  of  Bristow,  in  a  ship  of 
Bristowe  called  the  '  Mathew,'  the  which  said  ship  departed 
from  the  port  of  Bristowe  the  2nd  of  May  and  came 
home  again  the  6th  August  following."  Mr.  Beazley-  in 
quoting  this,  says  :  "  No  great  confidence  can  be  expressed 
in  the  tradition  of  the  lost  manuscript.  'Dia  use  of  the 
tevTii  America  shows  that  it  is  not  a  strictly  contemporary 
document."  But  if  our  suggestion  as  to  the  origin  of  that 
name  be  correct,  this  manuscript  may  be  looked  upon  as 
contemporary  evidence  of  the  fact,  that  the  newly  discovered 
land  was  already  called  xlmerica  in  Bristol  long  before  that 
name    became   known    on    the    Continent. 

For  nearly  four  centuries  it  has  been  supposed  that  the 
name  America  had  been  given  to  the  land  by  the  friends  of  a 

*  See  Weare,  Cabot's  Discovery  of  Noi-th  America,  pp.  116-122. 
2  John    and   Sebastian    Cabot,   p.    90. 


4  Richard   Afneryk 

certain  Italian  of  good  birth,  Alberico  or  Amerigo  Vespucci, 
who  was  certainly  not  the  discoverer  of  the  land.  Columbus 
we  know,  and  Cabot  we  know,  but  what  had  Vespucci  to 
do  with  the  discovery  ?  It  has  always  struck  me  as  curious 
that,  several  years  after  its  discovery,  the  new  continent 
should  have  received  the  name — and  the  Christian  name 
be  it  remembered — of  such  a  comparatively  obscure  person 
as  this  Italian  "purveyor  of  beef,"  or  "ship  chandler,"  as  he 
has  been  called.  It  is  also  difficult  to  see  how  the  name 
America,  or  Amerika  as  the  Germans  and  Dutch  write 
it,  was  derived  from  that  of  the  Italian  Amerigo  or 
Alberico. 

His  name  is  variously  given  by  old  authors,  but  in  the 
State  Archives  of  Mantua  there  is  a  letter  dated  December, 
1492,  by  himself,  which  is  signed  '  Ser  Amerigho  Vespucci, 
merchante  florentino  in  Sybilia."  He  is  sometimes  called 
Amerigo  or  Americo,  sometimes  Alberigo  or  Alberico — in 
Latin  Americus  or  Albericus  Vespuccius— and  sometimes 
Morigo  Vespuche,  which  was  probably  the  name  b}"  which 
he  was  known  to  his  Spanish  friends.  The  name  Amerika 
was  not  given  to  the  land  in  Spain,  but  "  by  foreign  writers  " 
(see  Las  Casas  later),  and  if  so  possibly  in  England.  Amerika 
seems  much  more  like  the  name  of  the  Bristol  Customs 
official,  than  that  of  the  Italian,  and  what  I  venture  to 
suggest  is  that  after  having  been  invented  in  Bristol,  by 
Cabot,  and  having  been  the  only  name  for  "  the  new 
island "  for  more  than  ten  years  after  its  discovery,  the 
resemblance  of  the  name  to  that  of  Vespucci  struck  the 
"foreign  writer"  at  Freiburg  (to  whom  the  English  ''Richard 
Ameryk "  was  quite  unknown),  and  thus  through  an  error 
of  his  editor,  to  Vespucci  was  transferred  the  honour  that 
the  discoverer  of  North  America,  John  Cabot,  had  intended 
to  confer    on   the  Bristolian   "  Ameryk." 

"  As  early  as  1507,"  says  Herr  Otte,^  "  the  name  Anierici 

^  Humboldt's  Cosmos,  note  by  the  editor,  E.  C.  Otte,  in  Bohn's 
edition,  vol,  ii,   p.  676. 


ana   the  Name  America.  5 

terra  had  been  proposed  for  the  new  continent  by  a  person 
whose  existence  was  undoubtedly  unknown  to  Vespucci,  the 
geographer  Waldsee-Miiller  {Martinus  Hylacomylus),  of 
Freiburg  ...  in  a  work  entitled  Cosmographice  Introductio, 
insivper  quatiior  Ainerici    Vespucii    Navigationes." 

Vespucci  was  born  at  Florence,  and  was  baptized  in  the 
Church  of  San  Giovanni  (The  l^aptistry)  in  that  city, 
18th  iMarch,  1452.  He  died  22nd  February,  1512,  in  Seville. 
About  ten  years  ago  a  lost  fresco  by  Domenico  Ghir- 
landajo  was  discovered  in  the  Church  of  San  Salvadore 
d'Ognisanti  in  Florence,  among  the  adornments  of  a  tomb 
of  the  V^espucci  famil}^^  One  of  the  figures  in  this  fresco  is 
said  to  represent  the  explorer  from  whom  America  has  been 
supposed    to    have    taken    its    name. 

Unfortunately   much    confusion   arose   among  the  recorders 
of  the    transatlantic    voyages    of    Cabot,    Columbus    and    their 
successors,   which  gave    rise    to  an  opinion,  apparently  widely 
believed    in    in    the   early    part    of   the    16th  century,  that  the 
first   voyage   in   which    A.    Vespucci    took   part,  preceded   that 
of  Columbus,  and  that  therefore   Vespucci  (they  seem  to  have 
ignored  Cabot)   was  the  actual  discoverer   of  the   New  World. 
In    a   quaint   dramatic    poem    of    the    beginning    of  the  reign 
of   Henry  VIII.    probably    about     1519,    the    recent    discovery 
of  the  new  land  in  the  West  is  alluded  to,  and  the  discovery 
is  distinctly   ascribed   to  Amerigo   Vespucci  : — 
But    the.se  new  lands  found  lately 
Be  called  America,  because  only 
Anieiicus   did    first    them    find.^ 

In  1527,  las  Casas  writes,  in  his  preface  "  Prologo  "  : — 
"  To  Amerigo  alone  without  naming  any  other,  the  discovery 
of  the  continent  is  ascribed  .  .  .  Circumstances  have  led 
some    to    attribute   to    him    that    which   is  due  to    others,  and 

1  Architect,   February    11th,    1898. 

2  "A  new  Interlude  ...  of  the  IV  Elements.  Printed  1519-20." 
Copy  in  British  ISluseum,  Press-mark  C  39.  6.  17.  Beazley,  pp. 
131—134. 


6  Richard  Ame7'yk 

which  ought  not  to  be  taken  from  them  " — namely,  Columbus 
and  Cabot.  And  again,  "  Tlie  foreign  writers  call  the  country 
America  ;  it  ought  to  be  called   Columba."^ 

Fifty  3^ears  after  the  voyages  of  Columbus  and  Cabot,  in 
1543,  tlie  great  astronomer,  Nicholas  Copernicus,  in  his 
Revolutionihus  orhium  coelestium,  vol.  vi,  ascribed  the  dis- 
covery of    the    new  part   of   the   globe    to  Vespucci. 

"  Accident,  and  not  fraud  and  dissensions  deprived  the 
continent  of  America  of  tlie  name  of  Columbus,"  says 
Alexander  von  Humboldt  {Cosmos,  vol.  ii,  p.  67(>,  Bohn's 
edition).  The  charges  made  by  many  writers  on  the  character 
of  Amerigo,  who  attribute  to  "a  fraudulent  attempt  to 
arrogate  to  himself  the  honour  due  to  Columbus "'  (and  to 
Cabot)  are  now  generally  believed  to  be  unfounded.  The 
publisher  of  Vespucci's  narrative  of  his  voyages,  under  the 
impression  that  his  first  voyage  was  made  before  that  of 
Columbus,  believed  Amerigo  to  have  been  the  discoverer  of 
the  new  world,  and  therefore,  it  is  said,  gave  his  name  to 
the   land. 

Whether  Humboldt  is  right  in  denying  that  Vespucci 
had  any  voice  in  "  the  fraudulent  attempt  to  arrogate  to 
himself  the  honour  due  to  Columbus "  and  to  Cabot,  is 
still  somewhat  uncertain,  and  perliaps  never  will  be  clear!}' 
established.  Some  later  writers  are  not  so  well  disposed  to 
the  Florentine  and  have  hard  things  to  say  about  him. 
"  The  Florentine  contractor  was  merely  a  landlubber  .... 
fond  of  airing  his  classical  knowledge  ....  inaccurate  in 
his  narratives  and  regardless  of  the  truth,  as  was  ably  shown 
by  Las  Casas,  while  he  habitually  assumed  the  credit  of 
works  which  belonged  to  his  superiors,  and  ....  was  dis- 
loyal  to  the  men  under  whom  he  served.  He  certainly  was 
not  a  practical  navigator  or  pilot."  All  this  and  more  is 
recorded  by  Sir  Clements  Markham  in  his  "  Letters  of 
Amerigo  Vespucci,"   Haklu^'t  Society,    J 894. 

^  Historia  General  de  las  Indias,  A.D.  1527-59,  by  Fra  Bartholome 
de  las  Casas. 


and  the   Name   America.  7 

In  the  year  1548  an  accusation  was  brought  against 
Vespucci,  by  the  astronomer  Schoner,  of  Nuremberg,  of 
having  inserted  the  words  "'Terra  di  Amerigo "  in  charts 
which  he  had  altered.  l.as  Casas  {Historia  Generale)  1559, 
mentions  this  report.  "  He  is  said  to  have  placed  the  name 
America  in  maps,  thus  sinfully  failing  towards  the  Admiral'' 
(Columbus).  But  there  appears  to  be  no  evidence  of  this, 
and  so  far  as  is  known  the  first  appearance  of  the  name 
America  is  on  a  map  in  an  edition  of  Ptolemy's  "Geography" 
printed  in  1522,  twenty-seven  years  after  we  suggest  that  it 
was  given  to  the  country  by  Cabot,  and  fifteen  after  it  had 
been   suggested    by    Hylacompylus. 

^  Amerigo  seems  to  have  been  on  good  terms  with  Columbus 
and  his  family,  which  we  should  hardly  have  expected  to 
have  been  the  case  if  the  Florentine  had  during  the  lifetime 
of  the  Admiral,  claimed  to  have  himself  been  the  discoverer 
of  the    new   lands. 

If  our  suggested  origin  of  the  name  be  correct,  it  seems 
curious  tliat  we  have  no  further  evidence  of  it  in  Bristol 
records,  except  that  of  the  lost  Fust  manuscript.  But,  as 
Richard  Americk  died  several  years  before  we  have  any 
evidence  that  the  name  was  attributed  to  Vespucci,  and 
the  Bristol  official  was  quite  unknown  to  Continental  writers, 
one    can    imagine    how    the    mistake    may  have    arisen. 

The  family  of  Merrick,  or  A'Mer3'k,  or  Ap  ]\Ieryk  seem 
to  have  been  settled  in  Bristol  from  early  times,  and  several 
of  the  members   are   mentioned   in    Bristol   wills. 

Richard  Amerycke  was  a  person  of  importance  in  Bristol 
towards  the  end  of  the  fifteenth  century.  He  was  elected 
Sheriff  of  Bristol  in  1503,  and  according  to  Mr.  Weare,  died 
during  his  year  of  office,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Robert  Thorne,  one  of  the  Founders  of  the  Bristol  Grammar 
School. 

In  his  "  Manorial  History  of  Clifton,"  published  in  the 
Transactions  of  the  Bristol  and  Gloucestershire  Archaeological 
Society,    iii,    223-4,     Mr.     ElHs    writes  :— "  We    find    in    1470, 


8  Richard  Ameryk. 

one  third "  (of  the  manor  of  Clifton)  in  possession  of  a 
wealthy  citizen  of  Bristol,  named  Richard  Amerycke,  who 
had  also  been  purchasing  large  estates  in  Somersetshire. 
By  charter  dated  the  last  day  of  August  that  year  he  con- 
veyed the  same  to  John  Broke  atid  Joan  his  wife,  and  the 
lieirs  of  John,  remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  Hugh  Broke. 
This  John  was  a  lawyer,  and  Joan  his  wife  was  one  of  the 
(laughters  and  co-heirs  of  Richard  Amerj^cke,  who  died 
June  9th,  1501."  Mi-.  Ellis  is  certainly  in  error  when  he  states 
that  "Richard  Amerycke  died  June  9th,  l-iOl,"  as  all  the 
Calendars  give  him  as  Sheriti  in  150'l-4,^  associated  with 
Henry  Dale,  or  Deal,  as  Mayor,  and  Wm.  Bedford  as  Bailiff. 
A  daughter  of  Richard,  named  Joan,  married  John  Broke, 
Serjeant-at-Law  to  Henry  VIII,  and  a  Justice  of  the  Assize 
in  the  Western  circuit.  He  died  in  1525,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Church  of  St.  Mary  Redcliff,  where  his  fine  monu- 
mental brass,  with  effigies  of  himself  and  his  wife  Joan 
can  be  seen.  On  this  brass  are  the  Arms  of  Broke  impaling 
Americk,  the  latter  being  : — Paly  of  six.  Or  and  Azure,  on 
a  fess  Gules,  three  mullets  Argent ;  which,  rather  than  the 
Stars   and      tripes,   might    have  been  the  Arms  of  America. 


NOTE. 

The  publication  of  tiiis  paper  has  been  delayed  in 
the  hope  that  a  copy  of  the  Fust  manuscript,  which  is 
supposed  to  have  been  in  possession  of  the  late  Mr. 
William  George,  of  Bristol,  might  have  been  found,  but  so 
far  the  search  has  not  been  successful.  The  original  MS. 
was  purchased  by  one  of  the  original  members  of  our 
Club,  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Kerslake,  and  unfortunately 
perished,  with  many  other  valuable  manuscripts  and  works 
in  the  fire  which  destroyed  his  premises  in  Bristol,  in 
1860. 

1  See  "  Two  Bristol  Calendars,"  Transactions  Bristol  and  Glou- 
cester Archaeological  Society,   vol.    xix,    pp.   128-9. 


V. 


R'Y  C 


t.JV  4^-- ^ 

\oX~~  MAY    ""*