An historical and geographical memoir of the North-American continent; its nations and tribes

Front matter

I UNITED STATES l)F AMERICA.

AN

HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL

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 1798; — the remainder is left in manuscript, almost completed, by the author. The Editor has not selected 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 finished. 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

PEEEACE.

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 thorough examination and comparison of every authority on the subject.

Of the continent of South America, the information is vague and scanty : but, as much as can be had in substance any where, will be found in these manuscripts. 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 accuracy. But what was accurate when they were written, has ceased to be so. Physical and moral convulsions are continually altering the features and character of this quarter of the globe : its political and physical geography will afford new matter for future writers. It is as yet (July, 1819) riot easy, to divine the result of the auspicious ferment glowing throughout 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 remember 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 evidences of history, are proved best to promote human happiness. That they will never pursue chimerical theories, mere offsprings of the brain, having no 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 religion 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 temporal purposes, and which true religion abhors, and true philosophy strips off.

o 2 iv

PREFACE.

The last volume of these Memoires may contain —

Subjects of great curiosity and interest, particularly that of Greece, which will be found to be the production 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 Quarterly and Edinburgh Reviews, two rival journals, of the highest rank, sed mag no inter vallo, 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 iloubt, or difficulty, much less of one, of scientific and liberal curiosity, 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 a edition 1790 — speaking of

Lower Dalmatian Provinces, Greece,

Grecian Islands, Grecian Archivelaao :

PREFACE.

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 I* 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 supposition, as the tides decrease, towards the north in " Baffin's bay, (see Foster's Collection of Northern " discoveries.) So that in ail probability Greenland " makes part of the American continent." This con-

* He would since have added, and M Kenzie ? s Journey .—^Editor..

VI PREFACE.

elusion drawn from the evidence of facts, and the analogy of nature, may approve his critical accumen, and knowledge of the subjects, who thus, by a period of twenty-nine years, anticipates the result of a research for a 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 incontrovertible 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 expedition. The editor too, would also infer from his knowledge 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 opinion, concerning the propriety not only of a renewed expedition to those regions, but of many similar expeditions 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 terrce. — He knew, although the principal object expected from such enterprizes should be disappointed, that many

* See Edinburgh Review, No. 59, page 5.— -Editor,

PREFACE.

vii collateral advantages and acquisitions to human knowledge 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 extend its glory, and to maintain its interest in peace 9 as well as they have in war, to fit out ships for discovery, and to equip bodies of learned and scientific men. If the works of war be what chiefly should engage the consideration and attention of the govern* ment of a great empire, let it be recollected, that learning and science have in all ages, been the best preparatives 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 utmost exertions of her industry, if her talents be not suffered to droop and become paralized by inaction. In the bosom of peace, let Britons recollect, that the surrounding nations are jealous of her glory, envious of her prosperity, though fand of her intlu-

PREFACE.

ence — an influence in its nature necessarily genial and protective. Her influence among the nations is, indeed 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 fostering 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, heretofore the cradles of freedom and letters, twin children, (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

PREFACE.

now hope, will again become illustrious by the exploits of heroes, awaked by the sons of Britain, reechoing in their ears, those lessons, which their ancestors first inculcated to animate, and raise the slumbering 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 liberty, by all the mild graces of Christianity. 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 Northern expedition, he has left his survey of the Northern regions of North America, in form not quite complete. 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

PREFACE.

tribe inhabiting the region extending from 76 Q to 77* 40' north latitude, and from 60° to 72° west longitude; (see Ross's Baffin's bay, 7th chap.) and decorated with the picturesque appellation of Arctic Highlanders, they seem to be merely a variety of the Esquimaux race, as yet unaltered by foreign admixture.

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 fidelity and plainness of execution, that the limner has the miniature-likeness of his face prefixed to this volume.

THE FOLLOWING IS A UNPUBLISHED

LIST OF MR* GORDON'S MANUSCRIPTS.

SOUTH AMERICA.

PAGES.

Terra Fir m a, 29

Peru, SO

Chili 30

Guiana, 28

Patagonia, . 8

Archipelago of Chenos, 4

ASIA.

Anatolia, 96

Anatolian Islands, 14

Caueasia, 32

Syria, 70

Assyria, 30

Armenia, 18

Arabia, 120

Persia, 120

Hindostan, 209

Transgangene India, 112

Tibbet, 41

Tartary, 113

Cocea, 4

China, 206

Japan, 102

Ceylon, 16

Sumatra, J 38

Java, and smaller Islands, 29

Borneo, Calebes, Molucca, 24

West Sumatran Islands, J 4

Sooloos and Manilla, 22

Mascarinasj 9

PAGES.

Australasia, 13

Tasmanian Islands,.. 16

Polynesia, 42

2d part, 13

AFRICA.

Egypt, . 80

Barbary ... 61

Sahara, .... J 8

Nigritia TO

Guinea, . 19

Congo, 13

Abysinia, 18

Nubia, 7

Caffraria, 48

Azores, 6

Madeiras, 4

Canaries, 11

Cape Verd, 6

Idoles, 1

Guinea Islands, 4

Russia, 90

Poland, * 26

Hungary, 36

Dalmatia, 26

Lower Danubian provinces, ... 6

Greece, 84

Grecian Islands, 16

Grecian Archipelago, . * 16

MEMOIR, $c.

Chapter I. Mexico

Site — Coast — Contour — Mountains — Lakes — Rivers-^- Seasons — History — Spanish Conquest — Vegetables — Animals — Fossils — Antiquities — Commerce — Government^ Religion — Towns — Extent — Division — Population — lnha~ bitants— Aboriginals — English Settlement.

or New Spain, taken in a strictly geographical conception, Avithout regard to those political divisions, which have undergone, and doubtless will undergo, a variety of alterations, constitutes that extensive isthmus by which the two immense peninsulas of Northern and Southern America are connected. Thus, comprehending the small isthmus of Darien, it extends, on the south, to the region of Terra Firma, or New Granada. For its Northern limit we must conceive a line

A