GLIMPSES INTO ANCIENT AMERICAN DISCOVERIES

knowledge of the New World existed beyond the circle of the Norse nations is clear enough. From the time when the voyages of the Northmen to America ceased, dates a belief, general throughout Western Europe, in a large island lying in the North Atlantic, to the west of Ireland. There can be little doubt that this belief rested on traditions of the Norse discovery of America.

If any doubt remains as to the Scandinavian settlements here, in the light of modern archeological knowledge it must be dissipated. The Norsemen have left unmistakable imprints on our soil-their homes, implements used in their daily occupation, and other vestiges of the civilization they brought with them from the far-off northeastern countries. One need not be an archeologist to detect the remains of their canals and the ponds and boom-daws on which they floated their timber. These literally dot the mouths and affluents of the Charles River, and as in distant Norway are built of unhewn stones.

Near Cambridge can still be seen the last traces of ancient block-houses and dwellings, similar to those found in Greenland, while the remains of ponds and traps can be seen close by, closely resembling those of the old Scandinavian settlers who made their homes on the shores of Mount Haup Bay. Other relics are found in abundance, such as chiselled stone, which was probably used for sinking nets, and stone mortars to grind grain. Most of these are the exact counterparts of the ones used in the Norway long ago.

Along the Penobscot River in Maine, on the shores of Narragansett Bay, similar traces have been found, and at Pittson can be seen trees three feet in diameter with six hundred annular layers, associated with brick work antedating the trees.15

And the Indians-did they not keep a faithful record of white visitors? The Lenapi (Delaware) tribes have carved on wood their tradition telling of two white races that came from across the sea. They portrayed these newcomers by a boat with a mast and sail, and a cross over it; while around their camp-fires they chanted the story to each coming generation.

Facts like these tell their own story. Antiquarians have written at great length of the relics left on our shores by the Northmen, but we can here only mention a few of these tangible bits of evi

See De Roo, Vol. 11, Ch. 14; also Horsford, "The Discovery,” pp. 14-50.

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GLIMPSES INTO ANCIENT AMERICAN DISCOVERIES

dence which serve to emphasize and corroborate the tales related b the Sagas.

We have now completed our brief outline of pre-Columbia discoveries. We have endeavored to show that the discovery o America was neither the result of a flash of inspiration nor a sud den achievement, but rather a progressive, evolutionary process Beginning with the ancients we found that their traditions concern ing the "isles of the blessed" were gradually replaced as generation succeeded generation by a more rational geographical conception, until, at about the year 1000, the existence of our shores was common knowledge in northern European countries.

By that relatively early day the Irish and the Northmen were visiting these coasts at more or less regular intervals, the former for the purpose of Christianizing the natives, the latter for the purpose of trading, exploring and forming settlements. Nor need we wonder why it was that central Europe was unaware of these voyages, when we consider that between Ireland and the eastern coast of Newfoundland only 1600 miles are to be traversed, with brisk northeastern winds practically all the way. We know that the daring, courageous inhabitants of Ireland made frequent voyages to Iceland in winter, often penetrating the vast ice-fields beyond. Even the Northmen admit that the Irish preceded them to the American coast."

It is true that noted authors disagree on the many documents extant, and some believe that the Northmen first sighted this Continent. The preponderating evidence, however, seems to favor the Irish, and Von Humboldt, Gravier, and the noted scholar Reusch are of the opinion that Irish monks first came here when expelled by Scandinavian pirates from the islands of the North Atlantic. Be that as it may, the records are sound historical data, and few seriousminded investigators question their authenticity. Whatever writers may disagree on, upon two facts they are all united: namely, that this western continent was known ages before the great Venetian came; and that at a time when Central Europe was plunged in superstition and all learning was slowly being submerged by the mediaval night, the northern barbarians were busy exploring the unknown West.

"Vol. 11, p. 75; also Document XVI.

34

As we pen the concluding lines of "Glimpses Into Ancient American Discoveries," the world is celebrating the anniversary of the discovery of America and rendering homage to Columbus. And yet he was but following a well-marked route. All glory to him! Far be it from us to question the greatness of his achievement, but we cannot agree with Fiske-nor accept his conclusion-that "Columbus's voyage was the greatest event in the history of the world.”

The French in the Ohio Valley*

BY DR. GEORGE P. DONEHOO, HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

HE Building of the French Forts.-The activity of the Ohio Company and its plans for the building of a fort and making settlements on the upper Ohio Valley started the French authorities in Canada on a campaign which had as its inevitable result open hostility.

The Marquis de la Jonquiere, Governor-General, wrote to Governor Clinton of New York, August 1751: "You are not ignorant, Sir, of the expedition Mr. de Celoron made in the year 1749 to the Beautiful River by order of the Marquis de la Galissonniere; that he renewed for, and in the name of the King, my Master, the possession which his Majesty always held of those lands; that he summoned all the English traders there at the time to retire; that he wrote to the Governor of Philadelphia to inform him that he had fulfilled his mission, and to warn him that if any English traders should thereafter make their appearance on the Beautiful River, they would be treated without any delicacy."

In this same letter the Marquis de la Jonquiere gives the names of the four English traders who had been arrested for refusing to obey these orders (Archives of Penna. Second Series, VI, 113-117).

In the "Ministerial Minute of the English Encroachments on the Ohio," for 1752, it is stated among other matters, reported by the Governor-General: "He stated, at the same time, that the reports made him by some faithful Nations, caused him to conclude that effectual measures must be indispensably adopted, both to bring the nations that had joined the conspiracy, back to their attachment to France, or to oblige them to return to their duty, and to destroy, by force of arms, the posts the English might have undertaken to erect on our territory towards the River Ohio, whence they set all of these movements on foot; and this Governor

*For this article we are indebted to advance sheets from a "History of Pennsylvania" by the Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., of which Dr. Donehoo is editor-in-chief. This article from Dr. Donehoo's pen deals with a subject upon which he is a recognized authority.