An historical and geographical memoir of the North-American continent; its nations and tribes: by the Rev. J. B. G. With a summary account of his life, etc

Front matter

Gtsir? AN HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL U_B£Q(D__tB OF THB NORTH-AMERICAN CONTINENT; ITS HAŒIKDStS A^H) IKEHIBIBSa BY THE REV. JAMES BENTLEY GORDON. WITH A §>ummarn Account OF HIS LIFE, WRITINGS. <ANJD OPINIONS. WuMiu . PRINTED BY JOHN JONES, 40, SOUTH GREAT GEORGE'S-STREET. 1820. grj* The Reader will please to correct with his pen the following ERRATA : Page 32, line 9, (of Note) for u F»yj*_m" read Tus\t—mt. — 11, (of Do,) — " <rW Xyoiv. 44, 2, , — " natural" national. 75, 3, — "intellectual" unintellectual. — — — — — " concilii" consilii. THE KIJSG SlR, It is surest/ an auspicious circumstance, not only for the orphan daughters of the Author* for whose benefit this Publication is ; but for mankind, that the greatest Sovereign of the world, is the most sensible to a call of humanity and letters.

It would ill become tne to presume further, than to subscribe myself, with the deepest gratitude, your Majesty s most faithful, most obedient, and most humble subject and servant, THOMAS JONES, Representative of the late James Bentley Goaoos. i Nuigrove School, Ralhfarnham, 20th May, 1820. a mmw&mix &®®m^ OF THE LIFE, WRITINGS, AND OPINIONS, OF THE LATE REV. JAMES BENTLEY GORDON, Rector of Killegni/, in the Diocese of Ferns ; and ofCanaway, in that of Cork ; Author of " Terraquea ; or, Memoirs Geographical and Historical;"— of the " History of the Rebellion of 1798 ;"— ■* of Ireland"— and " of the British Islands," ACCOUNT, &c. " WE have but collected this Volume, and done an office to the dead, to procure his orphans, guardians, without ambition, either of self-profit, or fame, only to keep the memory of so worthy a friend and fellow, alive.

HEMINGE and COtfDELL." Doctor Johnson complains, that even Goldsmith's life of Parnel, is dull and unentertaining, as the wri ter had no proper knowledge (" had not eaten and drunk with him") of his subject. He knew the man, whose character he described, by report only. He was not acquainted with the exact features of his mind, the peculiarities of his manners, their shape and colour. The remark is acute and just: but not sufficiently extended — no variety of incident, no dra matic cast of character can be thrown into the biogra phy of a secluded and sedentary scholar, which may render the narrative lively and entertaining. b X The truth and reality of the likeness should be preserved, and they admit not of such extraneous or naments. Happy it is for the narrator, that he can thus throw a veil over his own deficiencies, by im puting them to the deficiency of the subject — that he can conceal his dulness by attributing it to the same ness which necessarily attaches to the quiet, unvaried life of a secluded scholar, who never mingled with the great and learned, except in scenes of rural tran quillity — who led a species of still life, which, how soever abundant in happiness, affords little matter for narration.

Preface

. The Volume which is here presented to the Public, forms about a Twelfth part of the Memoirs Geographical and Historical of the entire Globe: of which, four parts or volumes, were published, up to 1T98 ; — the remainder is left in manuscript, almost completed, by the author. The Editor has not se lected this part for publication, on the ground of its being superior, or more complete in execution, than any of the remaining manuscripts: in fact, it is the only part of the work which is not completely finish ed. It has been selected, because it appears sufficiently competent, and large enough for a volume; which is as much as can, at this time, be presented to public consideration. From the Royal protection and support, which has been so most graciously bestowed upon this volume, it is hoped that the time is not far distant, when the entire work may appear, in an uniform dress.

The Asiatic regions are those on which the author bestowed most pains, and which, from the great natural lines of distinction observable over their o PREEACE. surface and population — the number of large islands and archipelagos, by which the Asiatic continent is encompassed — the deep interest which this empire has in their soil and commerce, and the various views which have been taken of them, from the earliest ages, requires the greatest share of attention and pains in research and comparison. Mr. Gordon, it would seem, is therefore justifiable in treating of them so amply as he has done. Of Africa, not much is known, with the exception of Egypt, and the coasts, which are fully described in these manuscripts, as are also all the known parts of the interior, from a tho rough examination and comparison of every authority on the subject.

Of the continent of South America, the informa tion is vague and scanty : but, as much as can be had in substance any where, will be found in these ma nuscripts. Humboldt and Bompland have cast acute and scientific eyes over many of its regions. Their physical features, and distinguishing characteristics, are described in these manuscripts with a bold accu racy. But what was accurate when they were written, has ceased to be so. Physical and moral convul sions are continually altering the features and character of this quarter of the globe : its political and physical geography will afford new matter for future

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. III writers. It is as yet (July, 1819) not easy, to divine the result of the auspicious ferment glowing through out many of the districts of this great and beautiful division of the globe. It is indeed to be hoped that the expellers of tyranny, if ultimately successful, will never imitate its conduct in their institutions, or re member its existence longer than it may be necessary to assert their own independence. That they will model their political constitution, and shape their public affairs conformably to the analogies of human nature, and to those principles which, from the evi dences of history, are proved best to promote human happiness. That they will never pursue chimerical theories, mere offsprings of the brain, having ho foundation in the realities of life, and the pre-existing arrangement of society.

That they will for ever keep in mind, the great lessons which the present age of the European world so forcibly teaches, that the dogmas of philosophy are as obstinate and bloody, though of not so universal adoption, as those of reli gion in its darkest ages. If, indeed, we should not say that the names — the sacred names of religion and philosophy, are only masks, which bad men put on to disguise wickedly ambitious aims, unholy and tem poral purposes, and which true religion abhors, and true philosophy strips off. o

PREFACE.

. The last volume of these Memoires may contain Lower Dalmatian Provinces, Greece, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Dalmatia, Grecian Islands, Grecian Archipelago ; Subjects of great curiosity and interest, particularly that of Greece, which will be found to be the produc tion of a liberal and pains-taking scholar. For the last few years, the question of a north-west passage through Baffin's bay, to the Pacific ocean has been received and agitated. The Quarterly7 and Edin burgh Reviews, two rival journals, of the highest rank, sed magno intervallo, in public estimation, divide the suffrages on this occasion — Surely however a question of this nature should not be discussed with acrimony, or sarcasm. Such is not the way to arrive at truth in any question of doubt, or difficulty, much less of one, of scientific and liberal curiosity7, in which even still (July 1819) there is some uncertainty and room for doubt.

After all that has been said and written on this subject, it may not be unacceptable, or unnecessary to quote the following passage from Mr. Gordon's Terraquea, or memoirs geographical and historical, vol. 1, page 9, edition IT 90 — speaking of

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. V Baffin's bay and the inlets connected with it, he says, " I have here considered this whole great inland sea, " or mediterranean of America, as a gulph ; and " must continue so to consider it, until it be found to " have some other communication with the ocean, " beside, that which it is known to have with the " Atlantic. That it has no channel westward to the " Pacific is evident from Cook's last voyage, and " Hearn's journey to the Coppermine river :* nor can " I find any probability of a passage to the northern " ocean, though Captain Cook seems to have believed " it. (Cook's last voyage, book iv. chap. 11,) merely " because he found people of the Esquimaux race in " habiting the western, as well as the eastern coast " of North America. But this seems not only far " from a proof, but even from a reasonable presump " tion of such a passage, as it is well known, that " these people carry their light boats across the land " from one arm of the sea to another, and consequently " might have traversed a great share of continent, " from one lake to another, and from inlet to inlet.

" Besides a strong argument lies against the supposi " tion, as the tides decrease, towards the north in " Baffin's bay, (see Foster's Collection of Northern " discoveries.) So that in all probability Greenland " makes part of the American continent." This con- * He would since have added, and M Kenzie's Journey.— Editor. VI

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. elusion drawn from the evidence of facts, and the analogy of nature, may approve his critical accumen, and knowledge of the subjects, w7ho thus, by a period of twenty-nine years, anticipates the result of a research fora supposed north-western passage. His manner too, so like a real philosopher, zealous for the truth, but not puffed up,-* by his zeal, or knowledge, may be edifying to some of the litigants. It appears, that in this respect, his opinion was different from that entertained by the writers in the Quarterly Review. He, however approved the eloquent ardour of their investigation, and was fully satisfied, from incontro vertible facts of extensive operation, that of* late years, such changes had taken place in the polar regions, as to fully justify the undertaking of the late expedi tion.

The editor too, would also infer from his know ledge of Mr. Gordon's sentiments on this subject, in several conversations within the last year, (1818) that were he now alive, he would heartily concur in opi nion, concerning the propriety not only of a renewed expedition to those regions, but of many similar ex peditions to various parts of the globe. That not only the surface of the earth and sea should be explored by British enterprize ; sed eundum in viscera terræ. — He knew, although the principal object expected from such enterprizes should be disappointed, that many * See Edinburgh Review, No. 59, page 5.— Editor.

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. collateral advantages and acquisitions to human know ledge would arise out of them, so as fully to compensate all trouble and expense attending them. Men and nations, he would say, often waste their resources in illiberal, and even cruel pursuits. How then should it be counted folly or extravagance of the government of a great empire, resting in profound peace, with thousands of its citizens ardent, able and prepared, strong and accomplished in science and letters, to ex tend its glory, and to maintain its interest in peace, as well as they have in war, to fit out ships for dis covery, and to equip bodies of learned and scientific men. If the works of war be what chiefly should en gage the consideration and attention of the government of a great empire, let it be recollected, that learn ing and science have in all ages, been the best prepa ratives for battle.

The British empire stretches the influence of its sceptre over the world ; and the genius of it's people, if called into action and properly supported, is well able to maintain its influence in the world. She has mind sufficient in her people to put the world in motion, to give ample employment to the utmdst exertions of her industry, if her talents be not suffered to droop and become paralized by in action. In the bosom of peace, let Britons recollect, that the surrounding nations are jealous of her glory, envious of her prosperity, though fond of her influ-

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. ence — an influence in its nature necessarily genial and protective. Her influence among the nations is, in deed a moral quality widely different from the. harsh prerogative of arms. It behoves her therefore to set an example to the nations, of an animated cultivation of the arts of peace. By a public, liberal support of the experimental sciences, chemistry, metalurgy, naval expeditions, and companies of exploratory travellers. On such a plan of public encouragement to the united efforts and rivalship of scientific bodies — bodies, the most learned and scientific in the world — What new Congreves to invent machines — fatal machines of war, to prepare new fields of Leipsic — What new Davieses to advance the bounds of science, to stretch its foster ing hand, to protect human life ; and in the most hopeless circumstances, to turn even the destructive powers of nature to the aid and comfort of humanity.

Long may the port of Britons, give the tone to mankind. The tone of British example, and the strong persuasion of their reason, much more powerful than arms, are spreading over those regions, here tofore the cradles of freedom and letters, twin chil dren, (though for many ages sunk in the oblivion of slavery) the reviving spirit of liberty and learning. Wherever Britons tread, they leave the vestiges of improvement, and the plains of Marathon, we may

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. now hope, will again become illustrious by the ex ploits of heroes, awaked by the sons of Britain, re echoing in their ears, those lessons, which their an cestors first inculcated to animate, and raise the slum bering mind to its proper height in the scale of being. Let it be the praise, the peculiar praise of Britons however, to have softened the harsh features of Greek and Roman liberty7, by all the mild graces of Christi anity. Let the spirit of universal benevolence, which Christianity every where inculcates, supercede in all her institutions, and in the whole practice, as well as the spirit of her laws, the narrow selfishness, which for ever prevented the spread and lasting establishment of Grecian freedom ; and which, even in its native seats, too quickly caused its downfall. As the author lived in expectation of being able to enrich this volume, with the result of the late Nor thern expedition, he has left his survey of the Northern regions of North America, in form not quite com plete.

The editor however, has not presumed to add to, or alter a word in his manuscript ; yet, he trusts, it will be found, that it is incomplete in form only, and not in substance. Indeed the expedition does not appear to have brought any material accession to the knowledge of geographical history. As to the p

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. X tribe inhabiting the region extending from 76° to 77° 40' north latitude, and from 60° to 72° west longi tude; (see Ross's Baffin's bay, 7th chap.) and de corated with the picturesque appellation of Arctic Highlanders, they seem to be merely a variety of the Esquimaux race, as yet unaltered by foreign admix ture. It is competent for any one to combat the propriety of any, or all of the opinions promulgated in the foregoing sketch and preface. It is not equally so, to combat the reality of the representation, that is made of them. No man knew Mr. Gordon so well and so long, as the editor of this volume ; and he has to the extent of his power, drawn the picture of his mind, the outline of his intellect, with the same fide lity and plainness of execution, that the limner has the miniature-likeness of his face prefixed to this volume.

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