But to return to our Discourse, and disprove the former Testimony, That the _Phenicians_ found _America_. The formention’d _Comtæus_ saith thus; “None can justly doubt, but that since the _Phenicians_ took the Command of the Sea from the _Rhodians_, they more and more increas’d their Fleets, and growing experter in Navigation, passing the _Gibraltar_ Northward, became Masters of _Cadiz_, and still prepar’d new Fleets, which searching beyond _Atlas_ Southward, discover’d the Coasts of _Africa_, and the adjacent Isles, driving a great Trade to the _Canaries_, and to those which lay scatter’d along _Cape de Verd_, formerly call’d the _Gorgades_. This way of Trade also was not unknown to the _Greeks_, _Iberians_, and other People; but after the _Phenicians_ assum’d it wholly to themselves, without any respect or difference of Countreys, they sunk all whomsoever they could catch.” _Curtius_ further adds, saying, “I believe that the _Phenicians_, sailing into the Main Ocean, have discover’d unknown Countreys.” And which are those? Not the _Gorgades_, or _Canary Isles_; for those were sufficiently known before; but a Main Land, far beyond. But though the _Phenicians_ were most expert, yet not skilful enough to make out such Discoveries. They indeed were the first that before any other sail’d out of the Mid-land Sea; nay, they ventur’d a good way into the main Ocean, beyond the _Straights of Gibraltar_, or the _Herculean Pillars_: But how far? Not to the _Gorgades_, above half way betwixt _Spain_ and _America_; but to the _Cassiterides_, or _Flemish Islands_, which to the number of nine lie in sight of _Spain_. _Strabo_ affirms this Truth, saying, “The _Cassiterides_ are ten, lying in order close by one another: One remains uninhabited; on the rest live a swarthy People.” This way the _Phenicians_ sail’d first, when they were in quest for Trade, from _Cadiz_. And though he reckons ten, there are indeed but nine, _viz._ _St. Michael_, _St. Mary_, _St. George_, _Tercera_, _de Pico_, or _Tenariff_, so call’d from the Mountain which vomits Fire, _Fayal_, _Las Flores_, _Del Cuervo_, and _Gratiosa_. Moreover, the same _Strabo_ relates, “That the _Carthaginians_ did not throw over-board the Traders on the remote _Gorgades_, but those especially that came from _Sardinia_ or _Cadiz_.” [Sidenote: _Salt-Islands_ how long known.] [Sidenote: _Joan. Mariana de Reb. Hispan._ lib. 1. cap. 20.] [Sidenote: Very remarkable Voyage of _Hanno_ the _Carthaginian_, along the Coast of _Africa_ to the _Salt-Islands_.] [Sidenote: Strange Vision.] [Sidenote: The Ancients believ’d Baboons to be Men.]