His Lordship also says "that if Madog did really discover any part of America, or any Islands lying to the South-west of Ireland, in the Atlantic Ocean, without the help of the Compass, at a time when Navigation was ill understood, and with Mariners less expert than any other in Europe, he performed an atchievement incomparably more extraordinary than that of Columbus." I agree with his Lordship, that is was an extraordinary atchievement, superior to that of Columbus, who had many advantages which the other had not: but as I have already observed, it does not appear that Prince Madog's first Voyage was the result of Sagacity and Judgment, but of meer Necessity and Prudence. Most probably, chance threw him on the American Coast.[qq] [Footnote qq: In the Space of about 300 Years, a report of Prince Madog's successful Western Navigations might obtain through Europe; and the penetrating and enterprizing Genius of Columbus might excite him to pursue the same Course, in Hopes of finding a nearer Way to China and other Countries.] In this paragraph his Lordship, happens, unfortunately, to be mistaken. The Naval force of the Britons seems to have been very considerable in the Days of Julius Caesar. The Reason for which he invaded this Island was, as he says, because the Britons assisted the Gauls by Land and Sea. Their Naval Power must have been very considerable, when Vincula dare Oceano, and Britannos subjugare, were convertible Terms.[rr] Had not the British Naval Power been then formidable, this would not have been said. [Footnote rr: Caesar says that the Britons assisted the Gauls with Ships. Hence we may infer that their Ships were of the same Construction with those of the Gauls, which Caesar says were built of Oak so strong that they were impenetrable to the Beaks of the Roman Ships, and so high that they could not be annoyed by the Darts of the Roman Soldiers. To the 9th Century, Alfred the great had a very formidable fleet.] Their Maritme Force, it is true, was much weakened by Caesar; yet in no long Time it seems to have been considerably restored, as appears from the Conduct of later Emperors. Had their Navy, as hath been asserted by some Writers, consisted only of small Fishing Boats, now, in the Principality called, Coracles, they could not have afforded such assistance to the Gauls, as to bring upon them the Roman power. As to unskilfulness, it doth not appear from History, that this, with truth, could be said of them. I know not upon what Authority, it is said by his Lordship that the Britons were less expert Mariners than any other in Europe; for they seem to have had Connections in the way of Commerce, with very distant Nations, before Julius Caesar; indeed, a very considerable and extensive Trade with the Phoenicians, and others.