nant. Considering this the god of the Jews, "they threw it into the fire, which did not affect "it. They afterwards attempted to cleave it with 66 axes;

says

it consisted of 10,000 men besides women and chil "dren, when they came from the west and passed over the "Missisippi. The fine breed of running wood horses, which

they brought with them, were the present Mexican or Spa"nish barbs. They also aver, that their ancestors cut off "and despoiled the greatest part of a caravan loaded with gold and silver: but the carriage of it proved so troubleઃઃ some to them, that they threw it into a river, where it "could not benefit the enemy—

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"Ancient history is quite silent concerning America, which "indicates, that it has been time immemorial rent asunder "from the African continent, according to Plato's Timèus. "The north-east parts of Asia were also undiscovered till of "late. Many geographers have stretched Asia and America "so far as to join them together, and others have divided "those two quarters of the globe at a great distance from

each other. But the Russians, after several dangerous "attempts, have clearly convinced the world that they are now divided, and yet have a near communication together by a

tr

narrow streight, in which several islands are situated, "through which there is an easy passage from the north-east "of Asia to the north-west of America by the way of

Kamschatka, which probably joined to the north-west point of America. By this passage, supposing the main conti"nents were separated, it was very practicable for the inha"bitants to go to this extensive new world, and afterwards to

have proceeded in quest of suitable climates, according to "the law of nature, that directs every creature to such climes as are most convenient and agreeable. Such readers, as may dissent from my opinion of the Indian American ori

axes; but without success. Every individual, "who treated it with indignity, was punished for

"his temerity. They then placed it in their "temple;

gin and descent, ought to inform us how the natives came "here, and by what means they formed the long chain of "rites, customs, &c. so similar to the usage of the Hebrew ❝nation, and in general dissimilar to the modes of the pagan "world

"I presume, enough hath been said to point out the simi "larity between the rites and customs of the native American "Indians, and those of the Israelites; and that the Indian

system is derived from the moral, ceremonial, and judicial, "laws of the Hebrews, though now but a faint copy of the "divine original. Their religious rites, martial customs, "dress, music, dances, and domestic forms of life, seem "clearly to evince also, that they came to America in early "times before sects had sprung up among the Jews; which

was soon after their prophets ceased, and before arts and "sciences had arrived at any perfection: otherwise it is

likely they would have retained some knowledge of them, "at least where they first settled, it being a favourite climate; "and consequently they were in a more compact body, than "on this northern part of the American continent."

The recent discoveries of Captain Cook respecting the streight which separates Asia and America are now laid down in every modern map. Dr. Robertson is decidedly of opinion, that all the Americans are of Asiatic extraction with the sole exception of the Esquimaux. He further observes, that, according to the traditions of the Mexicans," their ancestors

came from a remote country, situated to the north-west of "Mexico. The Mexicans point out their various stations as "threy advanced from this into the interior provinces; and it

is precisely the same route which they must have held, if

"they

"temple; but all their idols bowed to it. At length they fastened it upon a cow, which they "turned loose in the wilderness.

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"When the prophet Samuel arose, the children "of Israel said to him, We have been totally sub"dued by the Amalekites, and have no king. "Raise to us a king, that we may be enabled to "contend for the glory of God. Samuel said, "In case you are led out to battle, are you deter"mined to fight? They answered, What has befallen us that we should not fight against In

fidels? That nation has banished us from our "country and children. At this time the angel "Gabriel descended, and, delivering a wand,

said, It is the command of God, that the person, "whose stature shall correspond with this wand, "shall be king of Israel.

"Melic Talut was at that time a man of infe"rior condition, and performed the humble employment of feeding the goats and cows of "others. One day a cow under his charge was accidentally lost. Being disappointed in his

"they had been emigrants from Asia." Hist. of America, B. IV. Sect. 8. p. 41, 42, 43.

With regard to the curious work of Mr. Adair, as I have no means of ascertaining its authenticity, I wish to be understood as giving no opinion whatsoever 66 it. upon Neque con"firmare argumentis, neque refellere, in animo est: ex inge. "nio suo quisque demat, vel addat, fidem." Yet I may observe, that Dr. Robertson did not think it unworthy of notice. He has referred to it as an authority more than once.

"searches,

"searches, he was greatly distressed, and applied "to Samuel, saying, I have lost a cow, and do not possess the means of satisfying the owner. Pray for me, that I may be extricated from this difficulty. Samuel, perceiving that he was a man of lofty stature, asked his name. He answered, "Talut. Samuel then said, Measure Talut with "the wand which the angel Gabriel brought. His "stature was equal to it. Samuel then said, God "has raised Talut to be your king. The children "of Israel answered, We are greater than our king. "IVe are men of dignity, and he is of inferior con"dition. How shall he be our king? Samuel in"formed them, that they should know that God "had constituted Talut their king, by his restoring "the ark of the covenant. He accordingly restored it, and they acknowledged him their sovereign. "After Talut obtained the kingdom, he seized "" part of the territories of Jalut, or Goliah; who "assembled a large army, but was killed by "David. Talut afterwards died a martyr in a war against the Infidels; and God constituted David king of the Jews.

"Melic Talut had two sons, one called Berkia, "and the other Irmia, who served David, and were beloved by him. He sent them to fight

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against the infidels; and, by God's assistance, "they were victorious *.

* Though Saul had no two sons of these names, yet the names themselves are plainly Hebrew. Berkia is Barachiah, and Irmia is Jeremiah.

"The

"The son of Berkia was named Afghan, and "the son of Irmia was named Usbec. Those

youths distinguished themselves in the reign of "David, and were employed by Solomon. Afghan "was distinguished by his corporal strength, "which struck terror into demons and genii. "Usbec was eminent for his learning.

Afghan used frequently to make excursions to "the mountains; where his progeny, after his "death, established themselves, lived in a state of independence, built forts, and exterminated the "infidels.

"When the select of creatures, Muhammed, "appeared upon earth, his fame reached the Afghans, who sought him in multitudes under "their leaders Khalid and Abdul Rashid, sons of "Walid. The prophet honoured them with the "most gracious reception, saying, Come, O Muluc, "or kings; whence they assumed the title of Mulic, "which they enjoy to this day. The prophet gave "them his ensign, and said that the faith would "be strengthened by them.

Many sons were born of Khalid, the son of "Walid, who signalized themselves in the presence of the prophet, by fighting against the in"fidels. Muhammed honoured and prayed for 6. them.

..

"In the reign of the sultan Mahmud of "Ghaznah, eight men arrived of the posterity of "Khalid the son of Walid, whose names were

"Kalun,