Part 8
_That it was two years and a halfe, since that he going from the Port_ Honda _in the_ West-Indies, _to the_ Papian _jurisdiction, he conducted some Mules of a certaine_ Indian, _whose name was_ Franciscus Castellanus, _into the Province of_ Quity, _and that there was one in company with him and other_ Indians, _whose name was_ Francis, _who was called by all_ Cazicus. _That it happened that as they went over the Mountaines_ Cordilleræ, _a great tempest arose, which threw the loaden Mules to the ground. The_ Indians _being afflicted by the sore tempest, every one began to count his losses; yet confessing that all that and more grievous punishments were but just, in regard of their many sins. But_ Francis _bad them take it patiently, for that they should shortly injoy rest: the others answered, that they were unworthy of it; yea that the notorious cruelty used by the_ Spaniards _towards them, was sent of God, because they had so ill treated his holy people, who wer of al others the most innocent: now then, they determined to stay all night upon the top of the Mountain. And_ Montezinus _tooke out of a Box some Bread, and Cheese, and Jonkets, and gave them to_ Francis, _upbraiding him, that he had spoken disgracefully of the_ Spaniards; _who answered, that he had not told one halfe of the miseries and calamities inflicted by a cruell, and inhumane people; but they should not goe unrevenged, looking for helpe from an unknown people_.
_After this Conference_, Montezinus _went to_ Carthagenia, _a City of the_ Indians, _where he being examined, was put in Prison; and while he prayed to God, such words fell from him; Blessed be the name of the Lord, that hath not made me an Idolater, a_ Barbarian, _a_ Black-a-Moore, _or an_ Indian; _but as he named_ Indian, _he was angry with himselfe, and said, The_ Hebrewes _are_ Indians; _then he comming to himselfe againe; confessed that he doted, and added, Can the_ Hebrewes _be_ Indians? _which hee also repeated a second, and a third time; and he thought that it was not by chance that he had so much mistaken himselfe_.
_He thinking farther, of what he had heard from the_ Indian, _and hoping that he should find out the whole truth; therefore as soon as he was let out of Prison, he sought out_ Franciscus _beleeving that hee would repeat to him againe what he had spoken; he therefore being set at liberty, through Gods mercy went to the Port_ Honda, _and according to his desire, found him, who said; He remembred all that he had spoken, when he was upon the Mountaine; whom_ Montezinus _asked, that he would take a journy with him, offering him all courtesies, giving him three peeces of Eight, that he might buy himselfe necessaries_.
_Now when they were got out of the City_, Montezinus _confessed himselfe to be an_ Hebrew, _of the Tribe of_ Levi, _and that the Lord was his God; and he told the_ Indian, _that all other gods were but mockeries; the_ Indian _being amazed, asked him the name of his Parents; who answered_ Abraham, Isaac, _and_ Jacob; _but said he, have you no other Father? who answered, yes, his Fathers name was_ Ludovicus Montezinus; _but he not being yet satisfied, I am glad (saith he) to heare you tell this, for I was in doubt to beleeve you, while you seemed ignorant of your Parents_: Montezinus _swearing, that he spoke the truth, the_ Indian _asked him, if he were not the Son of_ Israel, _and thereupon began a long discourse; who when he knew that he was so, he desired him to prosecute what he had begun, and added, that he should more fully explaine himselfe, for that formerly he had left things so doubtfull, that he did not seem at all assured of any thing. After that both had sate downe together, and refreshed themselves, the_ Indian _thus began: If you have a minde to follow me your Leader, you shall know what ever you desire to know, only let me tell you this, whatsoever the journey is, you must foot it, and you must eate nothing but parched_ Mayz, _and you must omit nothing that I tell you_; Montezinus _answered that he would doe all_.
_The next day being Munday_, Cazicus _came againe, and bid him throw away what he had in his Knapsack to put on shooes made of linnen packthred, and to follow him, with his staffe; whereupon_ Montezinus _leaving his Cloake, and his Sword, and other things which he had about him, they began the journey, the_ Indian _carrying upon his back three measures of_ Mayz, _two ropes, one of which was full of knots, to climbe up the Mountaine, with an hooked fork; the other was so loose, for to passe over Marshes, and Rivers, with a little Axe, and shooes made of linnen pack-thred. They being thus accoutred, travelled the whole weeke, unto the Sabbath Day; on which day they resting, the day after they went on, till Tuesday, on which day about eight a clock in the morning, they came to a River as bigge as_ Duerus; _then the_ Indian _said, Here you shall see your Brethren, and making a signe with the fine linnen of_ Xylus, _which they had about them instead of a Girdle; thereupon on the other side of the River they saw a great smoke, and immediately after, such another signe made as they had made before; a little after that, three men, with a woman, in a little Boat came to them, which being come neare, the woman went ashore, the rest staying in the Boat; who talking a good while with the_ Indian, _in a Language which_ Montezinus _understood not; she returned to the Boat, and told to the three men what she had learned of the_ Indian; _who alwayes eying him, came presently out of the Boat, and embraced_ Montezinus, _the woman after their example doing the like; after which, one of them went back to the Boat, and when the_ Indian _bowed downe to the feet of the other two, and of the woman, they embraced him courteously, and talked a good while with him. After that, the_ Indian _bid_ Montezinus _to be of good courage, and not to looke that they should come a second time to him, till he had fully learned the things which were told him at the first time_.
_Then those two men comming on each side of_ Montezinus, _they spoke in Hebrew, the 4th. ver. of_ Deut. 6. Semah Israel, adonai Elohenu adonai ehad; _that is_, Heare O Israel, the Lord our God is one God.
_Then the_ Indian _Interpreter being asked, how it was in_ Spanish, _they spoke what followes to_ Montezinus, _making a short pause between every particular_.
1 Our Fathers are _Abraham_, _Isaac_, _Jacob_, and _Israel_, and they signified these foure by the three fingers lifted up; then they joyned _Reuben_, adding another finger to the former three.
2 We will bestow severall places on them who have a minde to live with us.
3 _Joseph_ dwels in the midst of the Sea, they making a signe by two fingers put together, and then parted them.
4 They said (speaking fast) shortly some of us will goe forth to see, and to tread under foot; at which word they winked, and stamped with their feet.
5 One day we shall all of us talke together, they saying, Ba, ba, ba; and we shall come forth as issuing out of our Mother the earth.
6 A certaine Messenger shall goe forth.
7 _Franciscus_ shall tell you somewhat more of these things, they making a signe with their finger, that much must not be spoken.
8 Suffer us that we may prepare ourselves; and they turning their hands and faces every way, thus prayed to God, DO NOT STAY LONG.
9 Send twelve men, they making a signe, that they would have men that had beards, and who are skilfull in writing.
_The Conference being ended, which lasted a whole day, the same men returned on Wednesday, and Thursday, and spake the same things againe, without adding a word; at last_ Montezinus _being weary that they did not answer what he asked them, nor would suffer him to goe over the river, he cast himselfe into their Boat; but he being forced out againe, fell into the River, and was in danger to be drowned, for he could not swim; but being got out of the water, the rest being angry, said to him; attempt not to passe the River, nor to enquire after more then we tel you; which the_ Indian _interpreted to him, the rest declaring the same things both by signs, and words_.
_You must observe, that all those three dayes the Boat stayed not in the same place, but when those foure who came went away, other foure came, who all as with one mouth, repeated all the fore-mentioned nine particulars, there came and went about three hundred._
_Those men are somewhat scorched by the Sun, some of them weare their haire long, downe to their knees, other of them shorter, and others of them much as we commonly cut it. They were comely of body, well accoutred, having ornaments on their feet, and leggs, and their heads were compassed about with a linnen cloath._
Montezinus _saith, that when he was about to be gone, on Thursday evening, they shewed him very much courtesie, and brought him whatever they thought fit for him in his journey, and they said, that themselves were well provided with all such things_, (sc. _meats, garments, flocks, and other things_) _which the_ Spaniards _in_ India _call their owne_.
_The same day, when they came to the place where they had rested, the night before they came to the River_, Montezinus _said to the_ Indian; _You remember_ Francis, _that my Brethren told me, that you should tell me something, therefore I entreat you, that you would not thinke much to relate it. The_ Indian _answered, I will tell you what I know, only doe not trouble me, and you shall know the truth, as I have received it from my fore-fathers; but if you presse me too much, as you seeme to doe, you will make me tell you lyes; attend therefore I pray, to what I shall tell you_.
_Thy Brethren are the Sons of_ Israel, _and brought thither by the providence of God, who for their sake wrought many Miracles, which you will not beleeve, if I should tell you what I have learned from my Fathers; we_ Indians _made war upon them in that place, and used them more hardly then we now are by the_ Spaniards; _then by the instigation of our Magicians_ (_whom we call_ Mohanes) _we went armed to that place where you saw your Brethren, with an intent to destroy them; but not one of all those who went thither, came back againe; whereupon we raised a great Army, and set upon them, but with the same successe, for againe none escaped; which hapned also the third time, so that_ India _was almost bereft of all inhabitants, but old men, and women, the old men therefore: and the rest who survived, beleeving that the Magicians used false dealing, consulted to destroy them all, and many of them being killed those who remained promised to discover somewhat that was not knowne; upon that they desisted from cruelty, and they declared such things as follow_:
That the God of those Children of _Israel_ is the true God, that all that which is engraven upon their stones is true; that about the end of the World they shall be Lords of the world; that some shall come who shall bring you much good, and after that they have enriched the earth with all good things, those Children of _Israel_ going forth out of their Country, shall subdue the whole World to them, as it was subject to them formerly; you shall be happy if you make a League with them.
_Then five of the chiefe_ Indians (_whom they call_ Cazici) _who were my Ancestors, having understood the Prophesie of the Magicians, which they had learned of the Wise men of the_ Hebrewes, _went thither, and after much entreaty, obtained their desire, having first made knowne their minde to that woman, whom you saw to be for an Interpreter_, (_for your Brethren will have no commerce with our_ Indians) _and whosoever of ours doth enter the Country of your Brethren, they presently kill him; and none of your Brethren doe passe into our Country. Now by the help of that Woman we made this agreement with them._
1 That our five _Cazici_ should come to them, and that alone at every seventy moneths end.
2 That he to whom secrets should be imparted, should be above the age of three hundred Moones, or Months.
3 And that such things should be discovered to none in any place where people are, but only in a Desart, and in the presence of the _Cazici_; and so (said the _Indian_) we keep that secret among our selves, because that we promise our selves great favour from them, for the good offices which we have done to our Brethren, it is not lawfull for us to visite them, unlesse at the seventy months end: Or if there happens any thing new, and this fell out but thrice in my time; First, when the _Spaniards_ came into this Land; also, when Ships came into the Southerne Sea; and thirdly, when you came, whom they long wished for, and expected. They did much rejoyce for those three new things, because that they said, the Prophesies were fulfilled.
_And_ Montezinus _also said, that three other_ Cazici _were sent to him by_ Franciscus, _to_ Honda, _yet not telling their names, till he had said, you may speake to them freely, they are my fellowes in my Function of whom I have told you, the fifth could not come for age, but those three did heartily embrace him; and_ Montezinus _being asked of what Nation he was, he answered, an_ Hebrew, _of the Tribe of_ Levi, _and that God was his God, &c. which when they had heard, they embraced him againe, and said: Upon a time you shall see us, and shall not know us; We are all your Brethren, by Gods singular favour; and againe, they both of them bidding farewell, departed, every one saying, I goe about my businesse; therefore none but_ Franciscus _being left, who saluting_ Montezinus _as a Brother, then bade him farewell, saying, farewell my Brother, I have other things to doe, and I goe to visite thy Brethren, with other_ Hebrew _Cazici. As for the Country, be secure, for we rule all the_ Indians; _after we have finished a businesse which we have with the wicked_ Spaniards, _we will bring you out of your bondage, by Gods help; not doubting, but he who cannot lye, will help us; according to his Word; endeavour you in the meane while that those men may come_.
The Hope of ISRAEL.
_SECT. 1._
It is hard to say what is certaine among the so many, and so uncertaine opinions concerning the originall of the _Indians_ of the new World. If you aske, what is my opinion upon the relation of _Montezinus_, I must say, it is scarce possible to know it by any Art, since there is no demonstration, which can manifest the truth of it; much lesse can you gather it from Divine, or humane Writings; for the Scriptures doe not tell what people first inhabited those Countries; neither was there mention of them by any, til _Christop. Columbus_, _Americus_, _Vespacius_, _Ferdinandus_, _Cortez_, the Marquesse _Del Valle_, and _Franciscus Pizarrus_ went thither; and though hitherto I have been of this minde, that I would speake only of solid, and infallible things, (as those things are which concerne our Law) and the obscurity of the matter, making me doubt, whether it would be worth a while for me to attempt it; yet at last I was content to be perswaded to it, not that I looke to get credit by it, but that my friends, and all who seeke for truth, that have put me upon this work, may see how very desirous I am to please them.
I shall speake somewhat in this Discourse, of the divers opinions which have been, and shall declare in what Countries it is thought the ten Tribes are; and I shall close, after that I have brought them into their owne Country, which I shall prove by good reasons, following the Revelations of the holy Prophets, who I beleeve cannot be expounded otherwise, whatever some thinke; yet I intend not to dispute these things, but according to my custome, shall lay down fairly, and faithfully, the opinions of the _Jewes_ only.
_SECT. 2._
You must know therefore, that _Alexis Vanegas_ saith, that the first Colonies of the _West-Indies_ were of the _Carthaginians_, who first of all inhabited _New-Spaine_, and as they encreased, spread to the Island _Cuba_; from thence to the continent of _America_; and after that towards _Panama_, _New-Spaine_, and the Isle of _Peru_. And he grounds himselfe on that reason, that as the _Carthaginians_ (who of old did most use the Seas) so those of _Peru_, and the Inhabitants of _New-Spaine_, did make use of Pictures instead of Letters.
But this opinion doth not satisfie, because they anciently were white men, bearded, and civill in converse; but contrarily those of _Panama_, St. _Martha_, and the Isles in _Cuba_, and _Barlovent_, went naked. Further-more, who can thinke that the language which he saith, they first spoke, should be so soone changed, that it should be wholly another; and there is no agreement between the one and the other. The learned _Arias Montanus_ thinkes, that the _Indians_ of _New-Spaine_, and _Peru_, are the Off-spring of _Ophir_ the sonne of _Jokton_, the nephew of _Heber_. And he backes his opinion, by the name _Ophir_, which by transposition of letters, is the same with _Peru_; and he adds, that the name _Parvaim_ in the duall number, doth signifie the _Istmus_ between _New-Spaine_ and _Peru_, which first was called _Ophir_, then _Peru_; and that these Countries are that _Peru_, from whence King _Solomon_ brought Gold, precious Stones, &c., as in _1 King._ _chap._ 9. _v._ 10. & _2 Chron._ 9.21. This opinion seems more probable than the other, and may be backed by another name of the River _Piru_, which according to _Gomoras_, lyes in the second degree from the Equinoctiall line, from _Panama_ 222. miles; as also by the name of the Province _Jucatan_, which may be derived from _Joktan_ the father of _Ophir_. But besides that this notation is somewhat farre fetcht, it crosses what _Josephus Acosta_ affirmes in _1. Histor._ of _Jud._ _c._ 13. who saith, that the name _Peru_ was unknowne to the _Indians_ themselves before those _Spaniards_ gave that name. Add to this what _Garcillasso de la Vega_ in the first part of his Commentary on _Peru_, _c._ 4. saith, that when a certaine _Spanyard, Basco Nunnez de Balboa_, lived in that Country, and asked a Fisher-man, what was the name of that Province, he answered _Beru_; (which was the Fisher-mans owne name, he thinking that was the question) and he farther said, that the name of the River where he fished, was called _Pelu_. Hence you may see, that _Peru_ is made of both those words; which also many _Spanyards_ besides him, we have mentioned, doe testifie. Besides, who can thinke that _Solomon_ neglecting the _East-Indies_, a place so rich, and abounding with all things, should send a Fleet so farre off as to the _West-Indies_. Also we read in _1 King._ 9. that _Solomon_ made ships in _Ezion-Geber_ on the shoare of the red Sea, which also _Jehosaphat_ did, with _Ahaziah_, as _Ezra_ saith, in _2 Chron._ 20. and it is certaine that those of those Countries went that ordinary way to _India_. And it will not follow, that because the holy Scripture sometimes saith, that they went to _Tarsis_, and sometimes; that they went to _Ophir_, that therefore both those places are the same; since that _Tarsis_ is not, as some thinke _Carthage_, or _Tunes_ in _Africa_ for that the Navie of _Solomon_ did not set sayle from _Joppa_, a port of the Mediterranean, but from _Ezion-Geber_, a Port of the red Sea, from whence they could not sayle to _Carthage_, but to the _East-Indies_. The answer of _Isaac Abarbanel_ to that argument, cannot be admitted, who saith, that an arme of _Nilus_ did run into the red Sea, and another arme ran into the Mediterranean, by _Alexandria_ in _Ægypt_; since it was never heard, that ships of great burden, did swim in those rivers; and would not he then have built his Navie in the Port of _Alexandria_? It is more true that _Tarsis_ is the Ocean, or _Indian_ Sea; and because they came into the Ocean, after that they had sayled over the red Sea, which is but narrow, therefore the Scripture saith, _They Sayled_ to Tarsis. _Rabbi Jonathan ben Uziel_ followes this opinion, who in his Paraphrase, for _Tarsis_, puts (the Sea.) The same saith _Franciscus de Ribera_, in his Comment. on _Jonah_, and also _Rabbinus Josephus Coen_, in his _Chronology_; who ascribe the word _Tarsis_, to the _Indian_ Sea; because that _Ophir_ is the same Country, which of old is called, _The Golden Chersonesus_; and by _Josephus_, _The Golden Land_; and at this day _Malacca_; from whence they brought Ivory, for the great number of Elephants which are there; none of which are in the _West-Indies_, and _Solomons_ Navie stayed in those Ports of _India_ three yeares, because they traded with the Inhabitants! I know that learned _Grotius_, and famous _de Laet_ thinke differently; as also those quoted by them; but I shall not insist in confuting their opinions because I study brevity. I doe like of, in part, the opinion of the _Spaniards_ who dwell in the _Indies_, who by common consent doe affirme that the _Indians_ come of the ten Tribes. And truly they are not altogether mistaken, because in my opinion, _they were the first planters of the Indies_; as also other people of the _East-Indies_ came by that Streight which is between _India_, and the Kingdome of _Anian_. But that people, according to our _Montezinus_, made warre upon those Inhabitants the _Israelites_, whom they forced up unto the mountaines, and the in-land Countries, as formerly the _Brittaines_ were driven by the _Saxons_ into _Wales_.
_SECT. 3._
The first ground of that opinion is taken from _2 Esdra._ 13. _v._ 40. &c. (which we quote as ancient, though it be Apocryphall) where it’s said, that the ten Tribes which _Salmanaster_ carried captive in the reigne of _Hoseas_, beyond _Euphrates_, determined to goe into Countries farre remote, in which none dwelt, whereby they might the better observe their Law. And as they passed over some branches of _Euphrates_, God wrought Miracles, stopping the course of the Floud, till they had passed over; and that Country is called _Arsareth_. From whence we may gather, that the ten Tribes went to _New-Spaine_, and _Peru_, and possessed those two Kingdoms, till then without Inhabitants. _Genebrardus_, quoting _Esdras_ concerning that wandring of the ten Tribes, saith, that _Arsareth_ is _Tartaria_ the greater, and from thence they went to _Greenland_, for that _America_ is lately found to be on that side farther from Sea, than it is upon other sides, being almost an Island, and they might passe from _Greenland_ by the streight of _Davis_ into the Country _Labrador_, which is now called _India_, being fifty miles distant from thence, as _Gomoras_ saith in his History. The same journying of the ten Tribes into _India_, is confirmed by that which _P. Malvenda_ reports, That _Arsareth_ is that Promontory which is neare to _Scythia_, or _Tartary_, neare the Sea, called by _Pliny_, _Tabis_, where _America_ is parted from the Country of _Anian_ by a narrow Sea; which also on that side parts _China_, or _Tartary_ from _America_; so that there might be an easie passage for the ten Tribes through _Arsareth_, or _Tartary_ into the Kingdomes of _Anian_, and _Quivira_; which in time might plant the new world, and firme land; which in bignesse equals _Europe_, _Asia_, and _Africa_ put together; _Alonsus Augustinianus_ counting from the shoare of the North Sea, from the Country of _Labrador_ 3928 miles, and from _Sur_ 3000. miles; but _Gomaras_ counts from _India_ by the South, and _Sur_, 9300. miles; which space is bigge enough for the ten Tribes, that they may there spread in places hitherto unknowne.
_SECT. 4._