CONTENTS. Imperfection of ancient navigation and geography-Doc- trine of the zones-Farther difcoveries checked by the irruption of barbarous nations-Geographical knowledge ftill preferved in the East, and among the Arabians-Re- vival of commerce and navigation in Europe-favoured by the Croisades-extended by travellers into the Eaft-pro- moted by the invention of the mariner's compass-First regular plan of discovery formed by Portugal-State of that kingdom-Schemes of prince Henry-Early attempts feeble-Progrefs along the western coaft of Africa-Hopes Birth and education of Columbus-acquires naval skill in the fervice of Portugal-conceives hopes of reaching the East Indies by holding a wefterly courfe-his fyftem founded on the ideas of the ancients, and knowledge of their naviga- tion-and on the difcoveries of the Portuguese-His nego- tiations with different courts-Obftacles which he had to furmount in Spain-Voyage of difcovery-difficulties- fucceís-return to Spain-Aftonishment of mankind on this discovery of a new world-Papal grant of it-Second voyage Colony fettled-Farther difcoveries-War with the Indians-Firft tax imposed on them-Third voyage- He discovers the continent-State of the Spanish colony- Errors in the first system of colonizing-Voyage of the turers in the new world-Name of America given to it— State of the colony in Hifpaniola-New war with the Indians -Cruelty of the Spaniards-Fatal regulations concerning the condition of the Indians-Diminution of that people— Discoveries and fettlements-First colony planted on the continent-Conquest of Cuba-Difcovery of Florida-of the South Sea-Great expectations raised by this-Caufes of disappointment with respect to these for some time→→→ Controverfy concerning the treatment of the Indians- Contrary decifions-Zeal of the ecclefiaftics, particularly of Las Cafas-Singular proceedings of Ximenes-Negroes imported into America-Las Cafas' idea of a new colony -permitted to attempt it-unfuccefsful-Difcoveries to- View of America when firft difcovered, and of the manners and policy of its most uncivilized inhabitants-Vaft ex- commerce- -Temperature-predominance of cold- Caufes of this-uncultivated-unwholefome-its animals -foil-Inquiry how America was peopled-various theo- ries-what appears most probable-Condition and charac- ter of the Americans-All, the Mexicans and Peruvians excepted, in the ftate of favages-Inquiry confined to the uncivilized tribes-Difficulty of obtaining information- various caufes of this-Method obferved in the inquiry- I. The bodily conftitution of the Americans confidered- II. The qualities of their minds-III. Their domeftic state. VOLUME THE SECOND. BOOK IV. concluded. they were acquainted-VII. Their religious ideas and inftitutions VIII. Such fingular and detached cuf- toms as are not reducible to any of the former heads- Hiftory of the conqueft of Peru, by Pizarro-and of the dif❤ View of the inftitutions and manners of the Mexicans and Peruvians-Civilized states in comparison of other Ameri- cans Recent origin of the Mexicans-Facts which prove their progrefs in civilization-View of their policy in its various branches-of their arts-Facts which indicate a fmall progrefs in civilization-What opinion fhould be formed on comparing those contradictory facts-Genius of their religion-Peruvian monarchy more ancient-Its po- licy founded on religion-Singular effects of this-Pecu- liar fate of property among the Peruvians-Their public works and arts-roads-bridges-buildings-Their un- warlike fpirit-View of other dominions of Spain in Ame- rica-Cinaloa and Sonora-California-Yucatan and Hon- View of the interior government, commerce, &c. of the policy-nor to be imputed to religion-Number of Indians BOOK IX. The History of Virginia to the year 1688. Elizabeth First expedition fails-The plan refumed by - -who |