ints where the
identification becomes extreme, where the pen and pencil have to some
extent distorted objects, and where localities and monuments are
insisted on, which we are by no means sure ever had any connection with
the acts of the early Scandinavian adventurers, and sea kings. This
period of the ante-Columbian era, is one of deep interest in American
history, and invites a careful and candid scrutiny, with a sole eye to
historical truth.

We have also a Celtic period, falling within the same general era of
the Scandinavian, which, at least, deserves to be examined, if it be
only to clear away the rubbish that encumbers the threshold of the
ancient period of our Indian history. This claim to discovery, rests
chiefly upon a passage in old British history, which represents two
voyages of a Welsh Prince, who in the twelfth century, sailed west from
the coasts of Britain, and is thought by some writers, to have reached
this continent. The discovery of Columbus was of such an astounding
character and reflected so eminent a degree of honor, both on him and
the Court which had employed this noble mariner, that it is no wonder
other countries of maritime borders, should rake up the arcana of their
old traditions, to share in the glory. If these ancient traditions have
left but little worthy of the sober pen of history, they have imposed
on us, as cultivators of history, the literary obligation to examine
the facts and decide upon their probability. If Prince Madoc, as this
account asserts, sailed a little south of west, he is likely to have
reached and landed at the Azores. It is not incredible, indeed, that
small ships, such as the Britons, Danes and Northmen used, should have
crossed the entire Atlantic at the era, between the vernal and autumnal
equinoxes, although it is not probable. It is nearly certain, however,
that should such a feat have been performed in the twelfth century, the
natives of the American coasts, who were inimical to strangers, would,
in no long period, have annihilated them. With a full knowledge of the
warlike and suspicious elements of Indian character, such a result
might have been predicted in ordinary cases. But that these tribes, or
any one of them, should have adopted, as is contended, the _language_
of a small and feeble colony of foreigners, either landing or stranded
on the coast; nay more, so fully adopted it as to be understood by any
countrymen of the Prince, five hundred years afterw