Part 10 (1/2)
George Catlin, who spent years of patient investigation into the language of the Mandans and of other Indians, has given a table of Mandan and Welsh words, with their p.r.o.nunciations. Those who have any acquaintance with the Moquis and Mohave tongues declare that they contain Welsh words. Relics with Celtic inscriptions have been unearthed. Aztec and Spanish chroniclers confirm more recent researches respecting the presence of Celtic words in the old Aztec language. The speech of Montezuma discloses their eastern origin, and that their astounding civilization was due to white men.
What then?
Why, that such a ma.s.s of testimony under such a variety of circ.u.mstances, precluding the idea of preconcert, interest, prejudice, or downright ignorance, establishes the fact that the Welsh were on this continent prior to its discovery by Columbus, and that those Welsh were led thither by Prince Madoc in 1170 A.D. Many historical facts to which the world has given implicit credence are far less supported than the above. Hereafter let not American historians pa.s.s over these facts in contemptuous silence.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE WELSH OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
The Welsh have claims for recognition and patriotic grat.i.tude by the American people, because of the prominent part taken by some of their descendants in founding the American Republic. The Welsh mind and heart have contributed no small share, in common with the good, the n.o.ble, and the enlightened of other lands, to mould its inst.i.tutions and to make possible a country where the highest conditions of a Christian civilization may be enjoyed.
That little vessel of one hundred and eighty tons' burden, the Mayflower, embryo of a free republic, was commanded by a Welshman, Captain Jones. Among those who came as pa.s.sengers were several of Welsh origin,--Thomas Rogers, Stephen Hopkins, John Alden, and John Howland.
The last one named was attached to Governor Carver's household. So the Welsh have a share in the celebration of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. What must have been the thoughts of that band of forty-one men (one hundred and one souls in all) as they stood on Plymouth Rock and looked into the vast forests before them, so soon by their st.u.r.dy energy and that of their descendants to be transformed into fruitful farms and splendid cities and towns!
Roger Williams was born in Wales in 1599. He was a relative of the Protector, Oliver Cromwell. Banished from Ma.s.sachusetts in 1635, he penetrated the forests in mid-winter till he came to the country of the Narragansets,--where the chief sachem, Canonicus, gave him a grant of land, which, in token of ”G.o.d's merciful providence to him in his distress,” he called Providence. Here he established a pure democracy, all equally sharing the dignity and privileges of the government. He was so kind in his treatment of the surrounding Indians that he was much beloved by them, and it was by his great power over them that he saved his white persecutors from destruction. Yet his enemies did not revoke his sentence of banishment. The city government of Providence is honoring his memory by the erection of a bronze statue.
Of that immortal band of men who composed the Continental Congress, and were signers of the Declaration of Independence, eighteen were Welshmen:
John Adams Ma.s.sachusetts.
Samuel Adams ”
Stephen Hopkins Rhode Island.
William Williams Connecticut.
William Floyd New York.
Francis Lewis ” ”
Lewis Morris ” ”
Francis Hopkinson New Jersey.
Robert Morris Pennsylvania.
George Clymer ”
John Morton ”
John Penn North Carolina.
Arthur Middleton South Carolina.
b.u.t.ton Gwinnett Georgia.
Thomas Jefferson Virginia.
Benjamin Harrison ”
Richard Henry Lee ”
Francis Henry Lightfoot Lee ”
Notwithstanding abler pens have sketched them all, it may not be uninteresting to touch upon a few facts in the biography of the above list. Commencing with New England, where so many of Welsh blood came after the Restoration, having been the followers of Cromwell, it will be in order to notice John and Samuel Adams.