The Discovery of America by the Northmen in the Tenth Century

Front matter

THE iltartfmien in iftcto engfant), OR AMERICA IN THE TENTH CENTURY. B Y JOSHUA TOULMIN SMITH, ACTHOR OF "PROGRESS OF PHILOSOPHY AMONG THE AKCIESTS } " "COMPARA TIVE VIEW OF ANCIENT HISTORY, WITH EXPLANATION OF CHRONOLOGICAL ERAS," ETC. '•Let them be well used; for they are the abstract, and brief :-S, of the time." Hamlet. Hamlet. BOSTON: HILLIARD, GRAY, & CO. 1839. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, BY BILLIARD, GRAY & CO. in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts. PRINTED BY WILLIAM A. HALL & CO. TO HIS EXCELLENCY EDWARD EVERETT, The following illustrations of a subject to which his attention has been recently directed are respectfully dedicated, by THE AUTHOR.

Preface

The object of the following pages is twofold. It is, first, to present the public with accurate accounts of the discovery of, and early voyages to, and settlements in, the Western Hemisphere, and continent of North America, by Europeans. It is, secondly, to prove that those accounts are authentic. The honor of being the first European who trod the shores of the new world has long been assigned to Christoval Colon, commonly called Christopher Columbus. In ignorance of the previous discovery and exploration of the same land by other parties, in a much more remote period, the assignment of this honor to him might appear just. When, however, it is made known that these discoveries were in fact made at a much earlier period, and in a much more complete man ner, by the inhabitants of a distinct and remote A* VI

PREFACE.

. nation, that honor which has surrounded his name should be transferred to them. Columbus may have touched upon America in the fifteenth cen tury, but the Northmen, without any of the advantages of advanced science which he possessed, discovered and explored it in the tenth.* If, then, the discoveries and voyages of Colum bus have ever been esteemed objects of interest and importance, the discoveries and voyages of the Northmen, five centuries previously, should cer tainly be esteemed of at least equal interest and importance. That interest should be increased by the fact that the latter discovered and explored the very same shores where now a race, of Anglo- Saxon blood has fixed its habitation, and made once savage and barbarous America assume an important station in the history of the world.

New England was, next to Greenland, the por tion of this continent which the Northmen es pecially explored ; in New England for a time they dwelt ; in New England one, at least, of their race was born, — the first of European blood that ever saw the light upon these shores ; in New England the bones of more than one of these bold • Particular attention is requested to Note A, on this subject, at the end of the volume.

PREFACE.

. VII navigators and explorers were committed to the earth, where they even now lie mouldering. New England may be said to have become classic ground, since the discoveries of the North men have become generally known. To all who take interest in the history of the world, in the history of human enterprise, in the history of geographical science, in the history of the advance of nations and of the human mind, these discov eries must be interesting. The circumstances under which they were made should make them of an interest surpassing that attending the discoveries of any modern navigator, — Columbus him self, and Cabot, not excepted. Certainly, to the present inhabitants of the regions thus explored, the interest must be still greater than to the rest of the civilized world. The original records of these discoveries have recently been published by the Royal Society of Northern Antiquarians at Copenhagen.

The volume, however, in which they are contained (Anti quitates Americanae) is one which, from its price, and the circumstance of its being in foreign languages, (ancient Icelandic, Danish, and Latin,) must be inaccessible to the majority of readers. The object of this work is, then, to make the whole subject familiar to all : to present the narra-

PREFACE.

. tives of these discoveries, as contained in the volume mentioned, with such historical and other illustrations as would tend to elucidate the subject, and add to its interest ; and to present any additional facts to which the author had access, bean ing upon the subject. As these documents, though long before the learned world, have only recently been at all generally known to exist, it was desirable to adduce proof of their genuineness and authenticity, and to meet every objection which has been or may be made to" them, at the same time that they were thus made public. This the author has accord ingly attempted in the following pages. It seemed the more desirable to do this here, inasmuch as it has been barely touched upon in the Antiquitates Americanœ. A mode of argument has, in pur suance of this design, been purposely adopted which is most suited to induce general conviction.

Another might have been adopted, but one less suited and less interesting to the general reader. The argument is drawn chiefly from a source now generally acknowledged to be the most con clusive, namely, the internal evidence, — a mode of argument so successfully adopted in Paley's Horœ Paulinœ, and which is generally found to be attractive as well as conclusive.

PREFACE.

. IX In order to present the subject under these dif ferent aspects, — the detail of facts, and the proof of their authenticity, — in the most pleasing mode, the author has thrown the whole into the form of dramatic dialogue. Room is thus afforded for varying the interest, and for different episodical allusions ; while a familiarity of style is admitted which would have otherwise been out of place, but which is useful in the discussion of such a subject. Different characters are presented, sus taining different parts ; and the unities of time, place, and character have been attempted to be preserved. The scene is laid in Newport, Rhode Island, for reasons which will appear obvious upon perusal. One remark must be added. In accordance with the very commendable practice now gener ally adopted by the best writers, all the names mentioned are given in their actual and original forms, and not in the barbarous forms in which they usually appear.

The utility of this practice will be self-evident, since the perverted forms in common use only serve to obstruct ease of re search. Who, for example, in perusing ancient or original records, and meeting with the names Colon, Svend, or Knud, would imagine that he was reading of the individuals of whom he had

PREFACE.

. X been accustomed to hear as Columbus, Sweno, and Canute ? Though, at first, the correct forms may sound harsh, the ear will soon become accustomed to them, and they will appear as euphonious as the corrupted and unauthorized forms. It may be observed that the final r in the Norman names has been omitted, as being a consonantal sound, incapable of being uttered in its place, and only giving, therefore, an unnecessary harshness to the appearance of these names. CONTENTS

Chapter I

Statement of Subject. — Not a recent Speculation, but a Fact long known and published. — How shown to be true. — Probability of its truth. — Proof of actual Authenticity of Documents, and Truth of Narrations. — External Evidence. — Internal Evidence. — Whether any Knowledge of a Western Continent among Ancient Greeks and Romans. — Utility of a Knowledge of this Subject, 1

Chapter II

Discovery of Iceland by Naddodd, (A. D. 861.) — Discovery of America (in Greenland ) by Eirek the Red, (982.) — Expeditions to the Northern Regions. — Discovery of the more southern regions of America by Biaeni Heritlfson, (985.) — Introduction of Christianity into Greenland by Leif Eirekson, (999.) — Expedition of Leif Eirekson to Vinland, and residence there, (1000.) — Expedition of Thorvald Eirekson to Vinland, (1002.) — Residence and death there, (1004.) — Expedition of Thorstein Eirekson, (1005.) —Story of Gudrid. — Death of Thorstein, (1005.) — Return of Gudrid, (1006,) i9

Chapter III

Arrival of Thorfinn Karlsefni in Greenland, (A. D. 1006.) — Marriage with Gudrid, (1006-7.) — Expedition to Vinland, (1007.) — Arrival at Kialarness, (Cape Cod.) — Winters (1007-8) in Straumfiord, (Buzzard's Bay.) — Snorri Thor- CONTENTS. finnson born there, (1007.) — Tliorfinn passes on to H6p, (Rhode Island,) (1008.)— Winters there, (1008-9.) — Indian Traditions and names. — Thorfinn encounters the Natives, (1009.) — Sails up the river (to Providence.) — Returns to Straumfiord, (1009.) — Expedition along the Eastern Coast, (1009.) — Winters at Straumfiord, (1009-10.) — Returns to Greenland, (1010.) — Two Natives taken on way home. — Destruction of Biarni Grimolfson. — Thorfinn settles at Glaumbœ, in Iceland, : 152

Chapter IV

Ancient Ballad in which Vinland is mentioned. — Latest recorded Visits to the Continent of America by the Northmen. — Continued Intercourse with those regions. — Permanent Colonies established by the Northmen in the Western Hemisphere, : . . . . 212

Chapter V

Irish in America. — Northmen in Huitramannaland, (Southern States of United States.) — Ari Marson, (A. D. 983.) — History of Biorn Aserandson. — Voyage of Gudleif Gudlaugson, 247

Chapter VI

Remains of Northmen existing in America. — Buildings and Inscriptions in Greenland, and in New England. — Body found at Fall River, 293

Appendix

. Note A, — On the Comparative Merits of the Northmen and Columbus, 329 Chart of the World, according to Icelandic Manuscripts of the thirteenth century 359 Note B, — On the traditionary Records of the Northern Nations, in- NEW ENGLAND.

Chapter I

Statement of Subject. — Not a recent Speculation, but a Fact long known and published. — How shown to be true. — Probability of its truth. — Proof of actual Authenticity of Documents, and Truth of Narrations. — External Evidence. — Internal Evidence. — Whether any Knowledge of a Western Continent among Ancient Greeks and Romans. — Utility of a Knowledge of this Subject. What ! exclaimed the doctor ; do you pretend to tell me that Columbus was not the discoverer of America ? Undoubtedly, was the reply ; I pretend to tell you that America was known to Europeans at least five hundred years before the time of Columbus's, or, more properly, Colon's alleged discovery. The expression of Dr. Dubital's countenance, during this reply, was one of mingled surprise and incredulity. Being a man of travel, and possessing no small idea of the superiority of his own knowledge and opinion over that of all his neighbors, he was extremely unwilling, at any time, to discover, or even to have it hinted, that there was " any thing in heaven or earth which was not dreamed of in his philosophy."

After a moment's silence, he rejoined : — You do not speak seriously, Mr. Norset. In faith, but I do. Most soberly and seriously, I mean to announce to you the fact, of which, in truth, I am surprised that you should have hitherto been unaware, that America was discovered by the Northmen, at least five centuries before the date of Colon's voyage to this country. Unaware ! yes, indeed, I was unaware of such a fact, as you are pleased to call it. A man can certainly never know all the strange theories and new-fangled notions in which some folks choose to wander now-a days. No theory, my dear doctor, nor new-fangled notion either ; as I shall be able, very satisfactorily, to show you. Do you then profess to assert, — to come plainly to the point, — do you profess to assert that this town of Newport and State of Rhode Island, were ever visited by Europeans before the time of Columbus, or Colon,* if you will ?

There, doctor, you go a little too far. I find no men tion made of Newport, or Rhode Island either, in the travels of Colon. A man may easily visit America, without ever seeing Rhode Island ; but, since you have thus put your question, I will answer, that I do pretend to assert, that, by a somewhat singular coincidence, per haps, the very spot whereon chance has thrown you and me together, and whereon the town of Newport now *The name Colon is employed throughout this volume, instead of its Latinized corruption, Columbus, not from any caprice, but simply because it is the correct name, and Columbus is merely a barbarous perversion. IN NEW ENGLAND. ♦ stands, was actually visited by the Northmen, and that the country in its immediate vicinity was especially well known to them five centuries anterior to the voyages of Colon.

Well, well, said the doctor, his expression of incredu lity and wonder increasing at every word of this reply ; I don't know what we shall hear next. But you know it 's nonsense ; we all know that Colon discovered America ; and I do n't see why any one should doubt the truth of his discoveries, or want to rob him of the credit of them, at this time of day.* Rob him of the credit of them ! doctor ; — no one wants to rob him of any credit that belongs to him. It is a mere question of fact ; we can't admit the credit system here. Question of fact, indeed ! Yes, I know it is a question of fact ; and every body knows the fact to be, that Colon discovered America in 1492, and that his was the first European foot that ever touched this soil. Doctor, you must excuse me ; but just let me ask you how you know all this ?

Know it ! why, every one knows it ; history tells us so, to be sure. Good ; — pray what history tells you so ? Why, the History of America, and the History of Spain, and, — and, — surely, Mr. Norset, you don't mean seriously to doubt what every body knows. Certainly I don't mean to doubt what every body knows, provided, always, that it be true ; but I must most seriously declare to you, doctor, that, by precisely the same means that you say you know that Colon dis- * * Particular attention is requested to the note A, at the end of the volume, in which the comparative merit of Colon and of the Northmen is discussed. covered America in 1492, I say that I know that Biarni Heriulfson discovered America in 985. Biarni Heriulfson ! 985 ! pray, sir, where did you learn all this ? Why, doctor ! I am surprised you should ask such a question.

History tells us so, to be sure. Some strange history, that is certain. I never heard of Biarni Heriulfson before. Well, doctor, you must pardon me; but it is barely possible that you may never have heard of Biarni Heri ulfson before, and that he yet may have existed. I fear we should never get on very fast, if every man were to refuse to believe every thing that he had not known before. Be good enough to inform me who this Biarni Heriulf son was, then. I certainty shall be glad to hear some thing about the man who is to lay poor Colon on the shelf. You quite lament over Colon's fading laurels, doctor ; I would recommend you to compose a dirge upon the occasion. As to Biarni Heriulfson, it would be too long a story to tell you, just now ; and, besides, what would be the use of my giving you a history, unless you be lieved the sources of my information to be authentic.

Ah! to be sure, that's very true. You have, most probably, saved me the time and trouble of listening to his history, for it will be somewhat difficuls to prove its authenticity, I think. Not quite so difficult as you imaginevperhaps. Sup pose we attempt the point. With all my heart. Well, then, suppose — No supposition, I beg, sir ; pray confine yourself to IN NEW ENGL4ND. facts. I said it was some strange theory, and methinks I was not far wrong, for you begin by a supposition. Not so fast, doctor. Pray do n't jump to quite so hasty a conclusion. Eveiy proposition in Euclid is founded, in truth, upon a supposition. Certain points in a supposed case are proved, and then compared with the points of the particular case in the proposition. And so it must be done, more or less, in almost every argument.

I beg, therefore, that you will allow, me to proceed with my supposition. I assure you I will wander into no theoretic ground. Let us hear your supposition, then, said the doctor, with something like a sneer. Since the notion of a supposition appears to trouble you so much, doctor, I will even take a fact, though it will have precisely the same effect upon the argument. Doubtless you have heard of the previously unknown work of Epicurus, which has been recently published ? His work, " De Natura," you mean : certainly I have. What has Epicurus, or his works, to do with Biarni Heriulfson, or any other discoverer of America ? Just this much : — neither yon, nor any body else, was aware that the work of Epicurus was in existence, or what were its contents ; and yet, when, after having lain under the ashes of Vesuvius for upwards of seventeen long centuries, it is at length brought to light, neither you, nor any one else, hesitates to receive it as authen tic* It is very possible, then, that other manuscripts, of less antiquity, may have lain hidden for a length of * This curious and interesting work was pubbshed in 1818, having been previously, for the first time, published in 1809, under the following title: "Epicurei Fragments Librorum II. et XII. de Natura, in Voluminibus Papyraceis ex Herculano erutis reperta.

Lipsiæ, 1818." 1* time, owing to various circumstances, and may now, for the first time, be brought to light, without any possible impeachment of their authenticity. That sounds somewhat plausible, perhaps ; but it does not do much towards proving your point. I want to know how it is that this history that you talk about has remained so long hidden and unknown. Nay, doctor, you must pardon me ; I never said that it had lain hidden and unknown thus long. It was only yourself who stated that you had never heard of Biarni Heriulfson and of these discoveries. What then ? do you mean to say that they have not lain hidden, — that they have been generally known ? I mean to say that they have not lain hidden. Whether they have been generally known or not is another ques tion. It is not the fault of the histories, if, being publish ed, they have not been read.

I could name to you many printed books, — books which have been long printed, some of them upwards of two centuries, — in which the fact of America having been discovered long anterior to the voyages of Colon is mentioned. I certainly am sur prised that none of these have ever fallen in your way. No wonder at all, sir. They are evidently some ob scure works. You mentioned that they had not been much read. Excuse me ; I said it was not the fault of the books, if people would not read them ; which I said, because you stated that you had never read them. Do you con sider the name of Torfœus * obscure, or that of Wormius, * Torfœus's Grænlandia Antiqua, Hafniæ, 1706, and Historia Vin landiæ antiqua, seu partis Americæ Seplemtrionalis, Hafniæ, 1705, &c. Wormius published at Oxford in 171'!, a Latin translation of an ancient Icelandic authentic work, in which Vinland is noticed.

Mention will be made of Adam of Bremen in a subsequent page. or of Adam of Bremen ; or, more recently, is the name of Malte Brun especially obscure, or even that of Pinkerton ? These are some among many who have mentioned these discoveries. Their allusions, then, are only indefinite and vague, and require some theory like yours to make them have any meaning. Nay, how could they all have got their indefinite and vague notions ? You might say this of a passage in some single ancient manuscript, perhaps, but not of a statement successively made in several modern works. You shall judge of their vagueness from the language of Pinkerton, which I copied out the other day on account Malte Brun and Pinkerton aie too well known to need any refer ence to their works. It is proper that mention should be here made of the allusions to this subject in Whcaton's " History of the Northmen."

The author of that work alludes to the discovery of Vinland, &c. and gives a meagre outline, though somewhat more fully than Pinkerton, as quoted, of the expedition thither. He is also more correct in his localities than Malte Brun and Pinkerton. He does not, however, give the full particulars connected with the subject, nor, indeed, any of the details necessary to determining the internal evidence. Henderson in his " Journal of a Residence in Ice land," alludes to" the same facts, (see American edition, p. 16;) though very briefly. He uses the following language, " The fact that America also was first discovered by the Icelanders, though less generally known, is perfectly well authenticated by the northern historians." Like Wheaton, he also names Biarni Heriulfson as the discoverer, although, like him also, he gives the wrong date to the transaction.

All these minute points, as to the differences in dates, &c. given by different authors, might be easily explained, could a lengthened disquisition on the subject be here given. It would be out of place, however ; and the narraiives given in this volume are too clear and precise; and their authenticity and truth too well proved, to render any such disquisitions necessary. These allusions are only made to show how idle is the charge, so often ignorantly made, that the idea of the discovery of America by the Northmen is a new-fangled theory and notion. of its subject, and believe I have got in my pocket-book. Speaking of the discovery of America, he says, " The first discovery of America is generally ascribed to Chris toval Colon, or, as commonly called, from the first Latin writings on the subject, Christopher Columbus.

But, as it is now universally admitted that Greenland forms a part of America, the discovery must of course be traced to the first visitation of Greenland by the Norwegians, in the year 982, which was followed, in the year 1003, by the discovery of Vinland, which seems to have been a part of Labrador, or of Newfoundland. The colony in Vinland was soon destroyed by intestine divisions ; but that in Greenland continued to flourish till maritime in tercourse was impeded by the encroaching shoals of arctic ice." And a little after, in his table of the early expeditions to America, he adds, " 982, Greenland discovered by the Norwegians, who planted a colony. 1003, Vinland, that is, a part of Labrador or Newfound land, visited by the Norwegians, and a small colony left, which, however, soon perished." * There is nothing particularly vague here, doctor, methinks ; the statements are made as simple matters of fact, of which no onne can doubt the truth ; and these passages must have been read by some thousands of people, for the edition from which *Pinkerton's Modern Geography, 3d edition, Vol. II. pp. 208 and 210.

In the first volume of the same work, p. 342, occurs the following passage : — " In this reign of Olaf I. Vinland, or Wineland, a more southern part of North America, was discovered by Biarni, and by Leif, son of Eric the Red, A. D. 1003. The little colony settled in Vinland about 1006, perished from intestine divisions. The country was so called from some wild grapes, or berries ; and is supposed," &c. &c. Pinkerton had never seen the original authorities, and only drew information from Torfœus. Hence his errors of dates, &c. A note is added to the above passage, to the following effect : — " It is singular enough, that, while the Welsh I quote them is the third through which the work has passed. Well, and is it Vinland that you pretend to say that the Northmen called America ? That is the name which they gave to a part of their discoveries in America, though Pinkerton, as also Malte Brun, assign it a wrong situation.

Ah, I thought there would be something wrong about it. Their tale does not quite agree with your theory, then. Their tale, doctor, if you will have it so, does agree with what you are pleased to call my theory, in the main facts. The situation of Vinland they certainly some what misplaced, but the cause of their error is very easily to be explained.* This error is not very great, after all ; and, even if it were greater, still I presume you will not deny that Newfoundland and Labrador are at least as much parts of America as the West Indies are. If, therefore, Colon, visiting the latter, is said to have discovered Aanerica, surely the Northmen, visiting the former, may, with more propriety, be said to have been the discoverers of this vast continent. Upon my word, Mr. Norset, you have a very cunning way of getting out of all tho difficulties ; but you have not quite escaped them yet.

Pray, upon what authority does Pinkerton, or Malte Brun, state these facts i antiquaries deafen us with the imaginary discover}- of America by Madoc, A. D. 1170, the Norwegians have been contented with a simple unpretending narration of the facts; " — this contrast being obviously strong evidence of the truth of the latter accounts. Let it be remembered that Pinkerton's Geography was published up wards of twenty-six YEARS before th'e work of the Northern Anti quarian Society. * See it explained in the following chapter, where allusion is made to the length of the shortest day in Vinland. Why, doctor, I am free to confess that their authority was not derived from any original authentic documents ; — nay, nay, pray be not in such a hurry to catch at my admission ; — I was going to say that their authority was not derived from any original authentic documents any more than your authority, Dr. Dubital, for the belief that Colon alone, and first, discovered America is derived from any original authentic documents.

What, sir, do you mean to say that I have no authority for believing that America was visited by Colon ? I mean to say no such thing, sir. You have authority, and good authority, but you have no original authority. Your authority is derived from sources which, only at third or fourth rate, had any origin in the authentic documents relating to his voyage. Well, sir, what of that ? you do n't doubt the truth of the accounts on that score, do you ? Certainly not ; but, by precisely the same token, I shall not allow you to doubt of the truth of the accounts given by Malte Brun and Pinkerton, of the discoveries of the Northmen, because their authority was not derived from reference to the original authentic documents re lating those discoveries : their authority was derived from the history of ToRFœtrs, who derived his information, however, from these original authentic sources.

You talk a great deal about original authentic sources : pray, sir, what are they ? or, rather, were they ? for I suspect you will tell us some plausible story about their former existence, but present loss. Wrong there, doctor. These ancient, authentic docu ments not only had a former existence, but have a present existence ; for I am happy to inform you that the parchment manuscripts which contain them are, at this moment, in a state of high preservation. Really, sir, you seem determined to hedge me in on all sides ; and, of course, as you assert all this, I cannot tell whether it is so or not. It is a marvellous story, altogether. But, suppo**jing — Nay, nay, doctor ; no suppositions, you know ; we must have facts. I was only going to say, sir, answered the doctor, hastily, and half angrily, that, supposing all you say, or assume, to be correct, you cannot deny that the alleged facts are generally unknown.

Pray do n't be offended, doctor ; I was only giving you a Rowland for your Oliver : you may have all the sup positions that you like with my free consent, especially when, as in this case, your supposition is so true a fact. As to your question, I certainly will not deny that these facts, as to the early discoveries of the Northmen, are generally unknown. Well, and what is the reason of that, if they be true facts ? That may seem, at first sighs, a difficult question to answer ; but I do not think it really is so. Little attention was paid to literature at the time of these discove ries, and for several centuries later, except in the very land from which the discoverers came, namely, Iceland. Iceland was little known to the rest of the world, and the records of these discoveries lay in the archives of that island.

Besides the little intercourse had with Iceland by the rest of Europe, the language in which these records were written was unknown to those portions of Europe in which letters were subsequently chiefly cultivated. When, therefore, Colon made his voyages to America, — all the rest of Europe being ignorant of the former discoveries, and his appearing brilliant, owing to the enterprises which followed them, which enterprises are to be attributed to the advance of Europe, in his age, so far beyond its condition in the tenth century, — the name of Colon was covered with glory. And you know, doctor, when once a fixed idea has taken possession of men's minds, how hard it is to get rid of it, however false it may be. A veiy good explanation, doubtless ; but I think it is strange nobody should have heard of these alleged dis coveries before.