Besides, the Similarity of Dialects in different places, already taken notice of, inclines me to believe that Madog’s Colony, in process of Time, extended itself much farther than the Country on which they first landed; for we find several British Words in other places, and in some of the West Indian Islands.[s]

[Footnote s:  About 90 Leagues to the South East of Mauritius, an Island in the East Indian Ocean, possessed by the French, there is another island about 50 Miles round, former called Degarroys, at present, Deigo Rayes, which name seems derived from the British Word, Digarad, “unlovely.” “utterly forsaken.”  “Void of all human Beings.”  This was the state of the Island in the last Century, but whether it be now peopled or not, I cannot say.  However, it is well furnished with provisions.  See Herberts Travels.]

The Island Curassoa, or Curazao, possessed by the Dutch, may have had its name from the British Word, Croesaw, or Croeso, “Wellcome;” possibly so called for Joy at the sight of Land after a long and dangerous Voyage.  Cape Breton, may also have had its name from these ancient Navigators, who possibly touched at it in one of their Voyages.

To strengthen these Conjectures, it is observable that Montezuma, Emperor of Mexico, on his submission to Cortez, said that their Chiefs were of foreign Extraction; and, when the above Circumstances are attended to, we may be disposed to believe that these Foreigners were ancient Britons[t]

[Footnote t:  See the Preface to Charlevoix’s Travels through America, and Howel’s Letters.  Vol.  II.  Letter 56. p. 77 Edit. 2.  This Writer, who died in 1666, says that the Ancient Italian Bards, much resembled the Welsh Bards, in alliteration.  This seems to intimate that the British Tongue, or Manners, in some distant Period, were known and followed in some parts of Italy.]

I know not of any Objection to the Account given by Humphry Llwyd and Dr. Powel, confirmed by Mr Jones’s Narrative, but what is grounded upon the very low Estimation in which the Ancient British Writers are now undeservedly held.

For Argument’s sake, let us suppose that the Original Britons were, in general, a stupid, foolish race of Men, might there not have arisen, even, among them, in the space of 700, or 800 Years, one Man blessed with some sagacity and penetration?  In early times the Saxons were a barbarous and savage people.  I do not recollect to have heard of a single instance of Saxon Knowledge or Learning, before they came to Britain about the Year 449, of Christ.  The Original Inhabitants of this Island were, in some degree, celebrated for literary Acquisitions in the Days of Julius Caesar, near 500 Years before the arrival of the Saxons.[u]

[Footnote u:  Warrington’s History of Wales. p. 101.  Edit. 2.  The Saxons were so very illiterate when they were called to Britain by Vortigern, in Welsh, Gwrtheyrn, that they could neither write nor read.  And for that reason Messengers were sent to them from Britain, with a verbal Invitation.  Mr. Llwyd has proved that the Welsh furnished the Anglo-Saxons with an Alphabet.  See a Welsh Book entitled Drych y prif Oesoedd, “a view of the Primitive Ages,” by the above named Mr. Theophilus Evans. p. 96. note.  Edit. 2. and Rowlands Mona Antigua restorata.]