ns.
Conjectural then as must be every disquisition as to the manner in
which this continent was first peopled, still however, as many men
eminent for learning and piety have devoted much labor and time to the
investigation of the subject, it may afford satisfaction to the
curious to see some of those speculations recorded. Discordant as
they are in many respects, there is nevertheless one fact as to
the truth of which they are nearly all agreed; Mr. Jefferson is
perhaps the only one, of those who have written on the subject, who
seems to discredit the assertion that America was peopled by
emigrants from the old world. How well the conjecture, that the
eastern inhabitants of Asia were descendants of the Indians of
America can be supported by any knowledge which is possessed of
the different languages spoken by the Aborigines, will be for
others to determine. "Neque confirmare argumentis, neque refellere,
in animo est; ex ingenio suo, quisque demat vel addat fidem."

Among those who have given to the world their opinions on the origin
of the natives of America, is Father Jos. Acosta, a Jesuit who was for
some time engaged as a missionary among them. From the fact that no
ancient author has made mention of the [14] compass, he discredits the
supposition that the first inhabitants of this country found their way
here by sea. His conclusion is that they must have found a passage by
the North of Asia and Europe which he supposes to join each other; or
by those regions which lie southward of the straits of Magellan.

Gregorio Garcia, who was likewise a missionary among the Mexicans and
Peruvians, from the traditions of those nations, and from the variety
of characters, customs, languages and religion, observable in the new
world, has formed the opinion that it was peopled by several different
nations.

John de Laet, a Flemish writer, maintains that America received its
first inhabitants from Scythia or Tartary, and soon after the
dispersion of Noah's grand-sons. The resemblance of the northern
Indians, in feature, complexion and manner of living, to the
Scythians, Tartars, and Samojedes, being greater than to any other
nations.

Emanuel de Moraez, in his history of Brazil, says that this
continent was wholly peopled by the Carthaginians and Israelites. In
confirmation of this opinion, he mentions the discoveries which the
Carthaginians are known to have made beyond the coast of Africa. The
progress of these discoveries b