NOTES AND QUERIES. Notes. TRADITION CONCERNING COLUMBUS.-Solorzano, in his work De Indiarum Jure, gives an account of the following tradition concerning Columbus's first conception of the existence of a New World, and cites various authors on the subject. The work is written in Latin, and was first published in 1629 in one volume folio. In making the following abstract, that edition, pp. 29, 144, and a subsequent edition of 1672 in two volumes, I., 29, 144, have been used. While Columbus was residing in Portugal and making his living by working upon nautical maps, he married a woman from Madeira, and afterwards emigrated to that island. The general opinion is that, while living there, his study of astronomical science and of ancient records, together with other reasons differently given by different writers, led him first to imagine and finally to believe that great stretches of land beyond the known world existed in the West as well as the East. Others, however, give another tradition. They say that Columbus derived his ideas and hopes from the accounts of a certain man, who was a guest of his in Madeira. This man had suffered shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean. The force of the tempest cast him upon a land hitherto unknown to cosmographers. Of this land he made a careful description. With difficulty he at length reached Madeira. There he became the guest of Columbus, in whose house he died, and to whom he communicated everything concerning this discovery as a reward for his hospitality. Among the writers who speak of this tradition, Benzoni inconsiderately asserts that it was concocted by the Spaniards in order to deprive Columbus fraudulently of his glory. Some writers say that this man was a Portuguese. Among these is Peter Damiriz, who pretends that the discovery of the New World should therefore be attributed to the Portuguese. But the most frequent opinion is that Columbus's guest was a mariner and merchant of Andalusia or Grenada, and that his name and birthplace are unknown, it being God's will that men should attribute so great a matter to none other than Himself. Garcilasso, the Inca, however, in his Commentaries has recently written that this man's name was Alphonzo Sanchez, and that his shipwreck took place in 1484— assertions, which, as far as our author knows, are made without any authority. Aldrete, in his Spanish Antiquities, seems to follow Garcilasso. Torquemada, who regards the discovery of the Indians of America as miraculous, maintains that the mariner aforesaid was brought to Columbus by the angels. He thinks that a divine mystery, and neither human counsel nor accidental chance opened a way to the conversion of the Indians, and holds Columbus to have been inspired and chosen of God to carry it out. On the other hand, that most learned theologian, Father Francis de Victoria, expresses admonitions against such views as Torquemada's. He thinks that such missions and inspirations are frequently deceptive, and sent by the devil, and that no miracles can be shown which prove that the mission of the Spaniards in the New World was ordained of God. Acosta seems to be of the same opinion as to the dearth of miracles, for in a certain passage he asks why miracles in converting the heathen do not occur now as in ancient times. Davila affirms that few miracles were seen in those parts of Mexico of which he treats. THE EIGHTH SWEDISH EXPEDITION TO NEW SWEDEN.-The following is translated from a copy, in the Library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of the original Swedish MS. document in the Royal Archives at Stockholm entitled Rulla som meedh H. Commandanten Hans Amundson åter affordighe till Nye Swerige så wel Mann som Quinn Personen den 3 Julij 1649: List of Persons, Male and Female, who set out with Commandant Hans Amundson for New Sweden, July 3, 1649. The Commandant Hans Amundson, with his wife and children, in all seven. The preacher Mr. Matthias Rosenlecchig. The bookkeeper Joachim Lucke. Gunner Jöran Duffua, with his wife and two children, a boy and a little daughter, in all four. Johan Jönson, with his wife, two. Hans Pärson, with his wife, two. The barber, with his wife and two children, in all four. Guune Turckelson Timmerman (carpenter), with his wife and children, in all four, born in Sivedaheiat. Gunnar Olufson Roth, born in Göteborg. Pär Larsson Bryggiare (brewer), born in Reduegs district. Swen Hockeson Bråd, born in Iland. Tolle Anderson Kiempe, born in Uddewal. Pär Anderson Snickare (joiner), born in Giöteborg. Oluf Benckson Hiort, born in Swedish "hysing." Oll Hakeson Buur, born in Mandaal. Pär Johanson Rutare (trooper), born in Kynna district. Olff Swensson Repslagare (ropemaker), born in Uddewal. Måns Josephson Falcke, born in Angermanland Beria Pärson Ugla, born in Tesberg parish. Haken Larson Skoster, born in Kynna district. Erik Anderson Drake, born in Ängar parish. Gösta Pärsson Krabbe, born ibidem. Anders Carlson Gedda, born in Göteborg. Lars Oluffson, with his wife and a daughter and two boys, born in Nerikie, in all five. Jon Olffson, born in Wermerland. BOYS. Daniel Olufson Buurman, born in Stockholm. WOMEN. Ingrij Pär's daughter, born in Lundby parish. Karin Pär's daughter, born in Österbåtn in Vasa. Maria Benck's daughter, born in Arbåga. Margaretha Niels's daughter, born in Vesberg parish. Cristin Jöns's daughter, born in Bongsund. Ingrij Lars's daughter, born ibidem. Brita Suen's daughter, born in Mariestadh. Anna Lars's daughter, born in Siöö parish. Wife Elie Oluff's daughter, with a little child born in Skara, two. HANS AMUNDSON. G. B. K. THE FRIEDENSTHAL PRINTING OFFICE.-In my little sketch, "Rev. John Brandmiller, the Moravian Printer" (PENNA. MAG., Vol. VI. pp. 249–50), I referred to the printing office at Friedensthal, from which were issued a Harmony of the Gospels" and a "Hymn Book," translated into Delaware by the missionary B. A. Grubé, and also an edition of Scripture Texts for the year 1767. 46 On Washington's birthday, in company with my uncle, John Jordan, Jr., I visited the Archives of the Moravian Church at Bethlehem, and, while searching for historical items relating to another matter, found in one of the Day Books of the congregation the outfit and cost of the Friedensthal Printing Office. The entry bears date December 1, 1761, and reads as follows: The printing office was shipped from London to New York, where it was stored. From the latter place it was transported by boat to New Bruns wick, N. J., and from thence to Friedensthal via Bethlehem by wagon, at a JOHN W. JORDAN. cost of £1. 7. REGISTRY OF THE BAPTISM OF WILLIAM PENN.-In the Rev. Joseph Maskell's Collections relating to the History of the Parish of Allhallows, Barking, in the City of London, published in 1864, are to be found numerous extracts from the parish registers. Under those of baptisms is the following on page 68: "1644, October 23. William, son of William Penn and Margarett his wife, of the Tower Liberty." The author's note remarks that this is the baptism of the founder of Pennsylvania. His father was then a captain in the navy, residing on Tower Hill, at that time a favorite residence with navy men. William Penn was born on Tower Hill October 14, 1644. The exact locality was the east side of Great Tower Hill, within a court adjoining London Wall. Most of Penn's biographers describe him as a native of Saint Katherine's precinct. This is an error; he was born in the Tower Liberty. The authority for Admiral Penn's residence as above is a letter from P. Gibson to his son, which is quoted in Cunningham's Hand-book of London. VISIT OF THE REV. DR. MANASSEH CUTLER TO WILLIAM HAMILTON AT THE WOODLANDS.-Readers of this MAGAZINE will remember the interesting account of the Woodlands in Mr. Townsend Ward's Walk to Darby," Vol. III. pp. 160 et seq. Among persons who recollected the place as there depicted, was the late Miss Quincy, daughter of Josiah Quincy, of Massachusetts, at one time a guest of Mr. Hamilton. For the following copy of the greater part of a letter written by the Reverend Doctor Manasseh Cutler to his daughter Mrs. Torrey, we are indebted to the courtesy of Col. E. C. Dawes, of Cincinnati, Ohio. "At the time of the visit described," says Mr. Dawes," Doctor Cutler was a member of Congress from Massachusetts, and was on his way to Washington. He had recently received a severe injury in his side from an accidental fall. His well-known fondness for botany explains the pleasure of Mr. Hamilton in meeting him. Mr. Pickering (then United States Senator from Massachusetts), in a letter to his wife under date Oct. 17, 1803, says, 'Stopping at Gray's Ferry, Doctor Cutler and I went to Mr. Hamilton's, at his elegant seat called Woodlands, on the Schuylkill, where we lodged.' (See Life of Timothy Pickering, vol. iii. page 68.)" *** WASHINGTON, Nov. 22d, 1803. Since you are quite a gardener, I will mention a visit I made, on my journey, near Philadelphia, to a garden, which in many respects exceeds any in America. It is at the country seat of Mr. Hamilton, a gentleman of excellent taste and great property. The visit was accidental. The fever rendered it necessary to avoid the city. We hired the stage to drive us through the suburbs on to a Tavern called Gray's Inn, over the Schuylkill, about three miles from the city. We found the Inn, although very large, so crowded, that not one in our stage could have a bed; we could be furnished with blankets if we would consent to lay on the floor. We were ten in number, and no other tavern within six or eight miles. It was about three in the afternoon when we arrived. The state of my side was such as to render it impossible for me to get rest without a bed. Mr. Pickering was indifferent with regard to himself, but felt much concern for me. As soon as we had dined, he called me aside, and told me, he had been acquainted with Mr. Hamilton, who was noted for his hospitality, and who lived but half a mile up the river, where he did not doubt we should be kindly entertained. We immediately set out and arrived about an hour before sun-set. This seat is on an eminence which forms on its summit an extended plain, at the junction of two large rivers. Near the point of land a superb, but ancient house built of stone is situated. In the front, which commands an extensive and most enchanting prospect, is a piazza supported on large pillars, and furnished with chairs and sofas like an elegant room. There we found Mr. Hamilton at his ease, smoking his cigar. He instantly recognized Mr. Pickering, and expressed much joy at seeing him. On Mr. Pickering's introducing me, he took me by the hand with a pretty hard squeeze. Ah Dr Cutler I am glad to see you at last-I have long felt disposed to be angry that I should hear of you so often at Philadelphia, and passing to and from the Southward, and yet never make me a visit, and Dr Muhlenburg of Lancaster, a few days ago, made to me |