Preliminary Difcourfe 



ON THE 



ORIGIN 



OF THE 



AMERICANS, 



AFTER reading almoft every thing that has 

 been writ on the manner in which America 

 rnight have been peopled, we feem to be juft where 

 we were before this great and interefting queftion 

 began to be agitated ; notwithstanding, it would 

 require a moderate volume to relate only the vari- 

 ous opinions of the learned on this fubjecT:. For 

 rnoft part of them have given fo much into the 

 marvellous, almoft all of them have built their con- 

 jectures on foundations fo ruinous, or have had re- 

 eourfe to certain refemblances of names, manners^ 

 cuftoms, religion and languages, fo very frivolous \ 

 which it would, in my opinion, be as ufelefs to re- 

 fute, as it is impoffible to reconcile with each other* 



It is not, perhaps, to be wondered at, that thofe 

 who have firft treated this matter^ mould wander in 



