De Las Casas, who spent much time in New Spain, says of the natives: Did they not receive the Spaniards who first came among them, with gentleness and humanity? Did they not show more joy, in proportion, in lavishing treasures upon them, than the Spaniards did greediness in receiving them? But our avarice was not yet satisfied, "though they gave us their riches and lands; we would take from them their wives, and children, and liberties." To blacken the characters of these people, their enemies asserted that they were scarce human. "But it is we (adds the author) who ought to blush for having been less men, and more barbarous than they." The natives are said to have been free from the European vices of blasphemy, lying and stealing, and to have lived in peace until the Europeans came among them; "Like Judas, with a kiss the natives they betrayed."
Arguments in favor of the native Americans being the descendants of Israel. — O Israel, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations."
"The Lord shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
"Woe unto them who have robbed me, and have enriched themselves in land and blood and the souls of men."
These natives all appear to have had one origin. Their language appears to have been Hebrew. The Indians have had their Ark of the covenant; have been in the practice of circumcision; and have acknowledged one, and only one God. They have one tribe, answering in various respects to the tribe of Levi; and they have something answering to the Jewish "cities of refuge." Indian pyramids resemble
the "high places of ancient Israel. Phylacteries, or ancient Hebrew writing, have been found on "Indian Hill," in Pittsfield.
In addition to various other arguments, and many traditions, a table of words and phrases is furnished by Doctor Bomdinot, Adair, and others—to which several have been added from good authority—to show how clearly the Indian language is derived from the Hebrew. Some of these Indian words have been taken from one tribe and some
from another. In a long continued heathen state, destitute of all aid from letters, a language must roll and chance
