An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, vol 1 | Page 7

West Indies: The bows, arrows, spears, and lances of both were also
nearly similar, only those of the latter were pointed with flints and the
bones of fishes: There were also some resemblance in their religious
rites and superstitions to those of the ancient Carthaginians, which
afford some presumptive evidences that they might have derived their
origin from nations where such arms were used, and such superstition
prevailed. That America might receive some of its first inhabitants
from the best and boldest navigators of the east, is a thing neither
impossible nor incredible; and, if this be acknowledged, they had many
hundred years to multiply and increase, before the period in which
Columbus visited them.
Other authors of considerable merit and ingenuity have contended, that
America was first peopled by Norwegians, and the northern countries
of Europe, formerly so populous and enterprising. They considered the

route by Iceland and Greenland, where the sea is covered with ice and
snow, as the most easy and practicable. They affirm, that colonies were
planted in Greenland, by adventurers from the north of Europe; that the
north-west coast of Greenland is removed at no great distance from
America, and that it is not improbable these two territories may, in
places yet undiscovered, be contiguous. In support of which conjecture,
an affinity between the language of the Esquimaux Indians and that of
the Greenlanders has been discovered by modern Danish travellers. It is
asserted, that they understand each other in their commercial
intercourses. Besides, so great is their likeness in features and manners,
in their boats and darts, that late geographers have not scrupled to
believe that the lands are united, as the inhabitants of both sides so
manifestly appear to be descended from the same nation.
Other writers, with greater probability and reason, suppose, that the
western continent must have received its first inhabitants from the
north-east parts of Asia and Europe. Some ancient Greek historians say,
that the Scythians, from whom the Tartars derived their origin, were all
painted from their infancy, and that they flayed the heads of their
enemies, and wore their scalps, by way of triumph, at the bridles of
their horses. Sophocles speaks of having the head shorn, and of wearing
a skull-cap, like the Scythians. These indeed bear a faint resemblance to
some customs of the Indian tribes in America; but late discoveries
furnish us with the best proofs in favour of this conjecture. Some
Russian adventurers, on the sea of Kamschatka, have discovered the
coast of America, and reported, that the distance between the two
continents is so small and inconsiderable, that a passage between them,
at certain seasons, is easy and practicable, and that, though it be yet
uncertain, it is by no means improbable that these two great territories
are united. It is remarkable, that the aspect, language, and manners of
the people, on each side of the narrow channel, are nearly similar; that
the arms they use for procuring subsistence are the same; that their
boats and method of fishing are exactly alike; that both make use of a
wooden instrument for procuring fire by friction; that neither attack
their enemies in the open field, but take all advantages of ensnaring
them by wiles and stratagem; and that the vanquished, when taken
prisoners, are tortured without mercy. These observations indicate a
striking resemblance between the Tartars and the savages of America.

One thing is certain, that emigrations to the western world by this
narrow channel are easier accounted for than by any other route, and it
is to be hoped a few years more will remove every difficulty attending
this curious and important inquiry.
Notwithstanding all these conjectures, various may have been the ways
and means of peopling this large continent. It is not improbable that
several nations may have contributed towards supplying it at different
times with inhabitants. The Scripture affirms, that all mankind
originally sprung from the same root, however now diversified in
characters and complexions. In the early ages of the world, as mankind
multiplied they dispersed, and occupied a greater extent of country.
When thus divided, for the sake of self-preservation and mutual
defence, they would naturally unite and form separate states. The eager
desire of power and dominion would prove the occasion of differences
and quarrels, and the weaker party or state would always be obliged to
flee before the stronger. Such differences would necessarily promote
distant settlements, and when navigation was introduced and improved,
unforeseen accidents, sea-storms, and unfortunate shipwrecks, would
contribute to the general dispersion. These, we may naturally suppose,
would be the effects of division and war in the earlier ages. Nor would
time and higher degrees of civilization prevent such consequences, or
prove a sufficient remedy against domestic discord and trouble.
Ambition, tyranny, factions and commotions of