6 INTRODUCTION. 



is expressly committed to the first northern apostle, named 

 Ansgarius. 



These conjectures have much importance attached to 

 them, as they lay the foundation of emigration from Europe 

 at a very early period, however unfixed that period may 

 be. The subsequent accounts refer generally to other 

 migrations from the same quarter, having various objects in 

 view : some to propagate the Gospel anew ; others to retrace 

 the steps pointed out by annals, at that time often copied 

 in gilt character ; others again, urged by the love of gain, 

 to recover possession of such treasures as were reported to 

 exist in those lands of wine, honey, corn and cattle. These 

 various pursuits were concentrated under- one head, the 

 finding of Old or Lost Greenland. How such an inquiry 

 became necessary shall be next the subject of research. 



It appears from the early accounts that Eric Raude, an 

 enterprising chieftain, by birth a Norwegian, being com- 

 pelled to go into banishment, was the first discoverer of 

 Greenland. An expedition was fitted out the following 

 year, consisting of twenty-five ships, fourteen of which only 

 arrived. Where the point of destination lay, the story does 

 not inform ; yet wherever those adventurers landed they 

 found such people as answer the description of the Green- 

 landers of the present day. Thorfin, an Icelandic chief- 

 tain, is said to have discovered Wineland, which is con- 

 jectured to be Newfoundland, where he also met with a 



