they most probably passed, and several Islands intervene to facilitate the passage. They might, indeed, have made the passage a little south of Behring's straits, by the Aleutian Islands. The individuals who emigrated belonged to a roving, and partially civilized tribe, desirous of finding new places of abode, where they might have more extensive possessions, as well as be safe from the robberies and depredations of a more powerful people.

This was the opinion and theory of some learned men more than a century ago, respecting the first and early settlement of the American continent. And since it has been ascertained, that the distance between Asia and America at Behring's straits, is not many leagues, this hypothesis has had numerous advocates.*

Now, if this passage to America, by a few persons even, was as early as above suggested, within 800 or 900 years after the flood, we may repeat, that there has been ample time for the settlement and occupancy of this whole continent by their descendants, according to the ratio of increase and multiplication of the human race, in other parts of the earth.

After passing over to America, these people would naturally as they increased, extend their settlements, both on the coasts and into the interior of the country. It is not probable, however, that they travelled north, to colder regions; but east, southeast, and especially south, to a milder climate and country. As they became numerous, and found fertile tracts of land, they would build towns or villages, establish sites of permanent abode, and cultivate the ground. Thus, from mere wandering tribes, they sometimes became more stationary and somewhat civilized. When the population of any place was numerous, their wants would increase, and some arts of social life, probably were invented and introduced among them. Such, according to the most ancient histories, was the progress of society in the old world, in early times. The traditions and hieroglyphic paintings of the Mexicans, so far as the latter have been explained, shew that the ancestors of the Aztecs or Mexicans, had proceeded in this manner. Several settlements were made, and compact towns built, by the ancestors of this people, between the valley of Anahuac and Nootka sound, in the north. From these towns or settlements in the north, their children and the more enterprizing of the ancient race of the Toltecs and Aztecs, occasionally sallied forth in search of other regions, where they could have greater possessions, or a more fertile soil, or more convenient places for hunting: and in 2800,

*It is hardly necessary to mention an ancient tradition, that formerly the two continents were united at this place; but were severed by an earthquake. It may be better founded, indeed, than that of the sinking of land between Africa and South America, which some supposed were once contiguous. But the passage at Behring's Straits is short, and there is no difficulty in believing it might be crossed in small boats.

or 3000 years, (including fourteen or fifteen centuries before, and the same number after the Christian era) the whole continent of America became filled with inhabitants. From their first settlements, they probably soon removed east, into the interior of the country, to the north of the great lakes, to Hudson's bay and to Canada; southeast, along the southern shores of the lakes, to the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio rivers; thence to Florida, the Carolinas, to the Potomac, Susquehanna, Delaware, Hudson, Connecticut rivers, and to the Atlantic coasts, within the present territory of New England.

If we should suppose, that any people who came to America in a remote age were accustomed to navigate the ocean, there would be no difficulty in admitting, that they passed over from Asia in a more southern latitude, even from Japan or some part of China. In the opinion of some writers, as we have noticed, this is necessary to account for the settlement of Chili and Peru. But this hypothesis supposes a greater knowledge of navigation than can be justly admitted, for the reasons before stated. It is far more reasonable to suppose, that the Toltecs, or their predecessors in Anahuac, who possessed the country in a very remote period, migrated to Chili and Peru, and settled the whole territory between. The ruins of ancient buildings, the temples, the traditions, customs and dress of the latter are similar to the former nation, or people; and strongly indicate a common origin, if not the descent of one from the other.

The probability, then, is far greater in favor of the hypothesis, which accounts for the early settlement and population of the American continent, by referring solely to a passage at Behring's straits, many centuries before our era, and as early, perhaps, as the exode of the Jews from Egypt. The principal objection to this theory, (for there is no evidence furnished, by physical character, language, or customs, of the descent of the Americans from any particular nation in Europe, Africa, or from the Chinese) is, that the whole continent would not have been filled with inhabitants, if we were to suppose they all sprang from a few wandering Asiatics. But we know not how numerous was the company or horde, which came early to America. There might have been fifty only; and there might have been two or three hundred. But 3000 or 2800 years, the period from the ninth or tenth century after the deluge, to the beginning of the sixteenth century of our era, would be sufficient for the settlement of the whole continent, as it was in 1500, when first visited by the Spaniards.

It may now be proper to notice the opinions of those who contend for a theory altogether different from that here advanced, and whose arguments are entirely unlike those used by the writers before mentioned; and who suppose, that a distinct race, or races of people are found in America, whose origin must necessarily be traced to

different nations of the globe, if they are not, indeed, of a species wholly different from those of any other people on the earth. These arguments are founded in their various forms and features, and in their difference of language: for neither their color nor their traditions, nor their arts of life are such as to render very probable the opinion of originally distinct races of mankind. It is granted, however, even by those writers who have advanced or advocated this hypothesis, that difference of climate, long and remote separation, variety of occupation, of diet, and of social condition, will account for considerable shades of difference, in color, and for diversity in the arts of life; since these must depend, in a great measure, upon the relative numbers, the occupations, compactness, and fixed location of mankind. As to the traditions of the several nations and tribes of American Indians, they were substantially, the same, with reference to the deluge, the early dispersion and consequent migrations from a distant country to the west and northwest, and to the removals of their ancestors from their first settlements on this continent, to the places they themselves occupied.

What, then, are the facts and arguments derived from the physiology of man, which militate with the hypothesis we have advanced? It is pretended, by some philosophers, that there are several distinct races of men, even in the old world; and the people of America form another race entirely different from any of those. Blumenbach supposes there are five distinct races or families of men, whose physiological characters are essentially different; Malte Brun pretends there are three distinct races in Africa only; and a fanciful modern writer asserts that there are sixteen distinct races of people on the globe. But the opinion of most learned men is, that the varieties, which exist, in the physical character of different nations, have been discovered only in later times, after mankind had been separated for many generations and centuries; and their condition diversified, by climate, diet, occupation, and modes of living, whether in large societies, or in a more isolated and wandering manner. M. Brun himself seems to be of this opinion. Their theory, then, does not, in reality, militate with the hypothesis, which supposes one primitive race or family as the origin of all. In entering upon this part of the discussion, it becomes us perhaps to confess, that the limited knowledge we possess of physiological facts relating to man will not justify a very decided and positive opinion on the subject. Much attention, however, has been given to the question; so that we feel somewhat confident of the correctness of the remarks here submitted. We observe, then, in the first place, that great doubt is entertained as to the propriety of resting any hypothesis, as to distinct races of mankind, or an essential difference between the people of America and all other nations, on such a foundation. Nothing satisfactory

The most erudite Every one has a stated, that some

has been ascertained or written on this subject. physiologists are not agreed among themselves. peculiar theory of his own. It has already been writers suppose five distinct races; and some, sixteen. Some have pretended there were three in America.

Such speculations and theories are certainly not entitled to much credit or consideration, unless supported by clear and direct proof. For they militate with the account given by Moses, the Jewish historian, of the general deluge, and of the early occupancy and settlement of the earth after that great calamity. And he has never yet been detected in any erroneous statement, or in substituting fanciful theories for truth. If it be intended, merely, as it seems to be by some writers, that, at a very early and now remote period, within one hundred and fifty or two hundred years of the deluge, the children and descendants of Noah, of the third and fourth generations, separated from one another, in Chaldea, and settled in different and distant parts of the earth; some in Canaan and Palestine, some in Egypt and Ethiopia, and in the western parts of Africa, some in the eastern parts of Europe, and some in the northern and eastern parts of Asia; and, that long separation, difference of climate, of labor, occupation and diet, of more or less exposure to the sun and air, of variety in their social state, some living in towns, others wandering into new and wild countries, exposed to excessive heat and cold, to diseases and want, would produce a variety in the color, stature, form, features, and strength of different nations.-If this only be intended by distinct races of men, it will be admitted, as well with regard to the new continent as to the old.

There is, indeed, one fact in the physiology of our species, (difference of shape and stature do not present a very formidable difficulty) which has not been satisfactorily explained, on the supposition of the unity of the human race. This respects the negroes of Africa: But it is not a difficulty to embarrass, particularly, the hypothesis which we have here advanced, as to the entire, original settlement of America by a horde or company of the Tartar race, from the northeast of Asia. On this continent, none of the indigenous inhabitants were like the negroes of Africa; but a strong general likeness is observable among all the Indian nations in America ; and they, also, most resemble the Huns, or Cathayan Tartars, who inhabited the north of Asia in a very remote period.

The color and features of the Africans are so peculiar, that some philosophers have doubted their descent from Noah; but others, equally learned, are of opinion, that a long residence in the burning climate and sandy soil of Africa is sufficient to account for the dark color of its population. The antediluvians were probably tawny or copper-colored; for it is supposed they lived chiefly in the fields

and open air. The early descendants of Noah, after the flood, in Canaan, Chaldea, Persia, Arabia, and India, lived after the same manner, and were of a similar complexion. The white color of the European was probably acquired by living in high northern latitudes, and residing in houses and caves of the earth.

There is, indeed, another hypothesis, as is well known, respecting the very dark complexion of the sons of Ham, who first settled Africa; which is, that this color was inflicted by God, as a signal punishment and reproach for the wickedness of this unnatural son. It is sufficient to have referred to this opinion, in this connexion. The cause of the peculiar color of Ham's descendants, we attempt not to account for. It is generally believed, however, that the early race of Egyptians and others who settled in the north of Africa, on the shores of the Mediterranean, were not so black as the negroes of the interior and farther south, who lived almost wholly without shelter or covering; and thus, in process of time, became of the deep dark color, which we now witness.

But we return from this digression: and, without intending to repeat, we beg concisely to state, that the arguments and facts furnished by physiology, and the opinion of learned men, go to support rather than to weaken the theory we advocate. Some writers have pretended, it is true, that the Peruvians resembled the Malays; but this has never been insisted on. It has been more seriously urged, that the Esquimaux Indians, in the northeast parts of this continent, were like the Scandinavians and Norwegians, in their features and stature. But it is also positively asserted, on the other hand, that there are no very striking resemblances between them; and that the Esquimaux resemble much more, the Samoides, a Tartar tribe in the northeast of Asia; some of whom might have passed to America, at the same time, or soon after, the company of Mongol Tartars did, and directed their course eastward across the country towards the territory, which they have since occupied.

Governor Cass, who has had much intercourse with many of the Indian tribes, and has visited several of their settlements, in different parts of the interior of the country, is decidedly of opinion that they were all, originally of one nation. He says, "that, in stature, form, high cheek bone, thinness of beard, and general appearance, there is a strong resemblance among all the American tribes; and that their traditions, customs, manners, and religious sentiments are essentially the same." The same opinion is expressed by Malte Brun. He also says, "That it is not an insuperable objection to the theory of the unity of the human species, that a great variety now exists, in the stature, color and features of mankind; for that these may be accounted for, by long and distant separation, difference of climate, of occupation, of modes of living, and of the early treatment of