[Footnote dd:  Universal History.  Vol.  XX.  Dissertion upon the peopling of America, p. 193.  Edit. 1748.]

It would hence seem that these Writers were inclined to believe the Tradition concerning Madog; for they say that it is a notion supported by something more than bare Conjectures.

They say also that they have omitted other Arguments in Favour of Madog’s Expeditions.

In the British Tongue, the double L (LL) hath a peculiar sound, different from any in other Tongues.  It hath been said that in the Spanish it has the same sound.  But a Gentleman who understands the Spanish Language informed me that it is not like the Welsh double, LL, though it hath a peculiar sound.  However, if the Spanish Tongue hath such a sound, or one near to it, it might have been derived from the Inhabitants of Mexico or Guatimala; for we have very strong reasons to believe that the Descendants of Madog’s Colony, spread themselves over a great part of America.  But more of this hereafter.

Dr. Campbell in his Naval History agrees with the above Writers, in his general Account, and concludes with these Observations.

“It must be confessed that there is nothing which absolutely fixes this Discovery of America, though it must likewise be owned that the Course before set down might very possibly carry him thither.  The great point is to know how far the fact may be depended upon, and in relation to this, I will venture to assert that there are Authentic Records, in the British Tongue, as to this Expedition of Madog’s, wherever he went, prior to the Discovery of America by Columbus, and that many probable Arguments may be offered in support of this Notion.  That these Britons were the Discoverers of that new World is also true, though at present we have not an Opportunity to insist upon them.”  And in a Note Mr. Campbell adds, “Meredith ab Reece, a Cambrian Bard, who died in 1477, composed an Ode in his Native Language on this Expedition,[ee] from which the particulars above mentioned are taken, and this was prior to Columbus’s Discovery; so that Fact would never have encouraged the framing of this Fable, even supposing it to be so."[ff]

[Footnote ee:  This Ode was cited above, p. 13 &c.  It was not written on Madog’s Expedition, but contains an Allusion to it.]

[Footnote ff:  Naval History.  Vol.  I. P.257.  Edit. 2.  Mr. Buache seems to believe Madog’s Emigration.  History and Memoires of the Royal Academy of Paris, for 1784.  Monthly Review, Vol, 78. p. 616.  Had there not been a Tradition concerning this Fact before the Days of Queen Elizabeth, this Discovery would hardly have been attributed to a people so little known as the Britons were at that Period.  It would have been ascribed to some more renowned and powerful Nation.]