It is hard to say what is certaine among the so many, and so uncertaine opinions concerning the originall of the _Indians_ of the new World. If you aske, what is my opinion upon the relation of _Montezinus_, I must say, it is scarce possible to know it by any Art, since there is no demonstration, which can manifest the truth of it; much lesse can you gather it from Divine, or humane Writings; for the Scriptures doe not tell what people first inhabited those Countries; neither was there mention of them by any, til _Christop. Columbus_, _Americus_, _Vespacius_, _Ferdinandus_, _Cortez_, the Marquesse _Del Valle_, and _Franciscus Pizarrus_ went thither; and though hitherto I have been of this minde, that I would speake only of solid, and infallible things, (as those things are which concerne our Law) and the obscurity of the matter, making me doubt, whether it would be worth a while for me to attempt it; yet at last I was content to be perswaded to it, not that I looke to get credit by it, but that my friends, and all who seeke for truth, that have put me upon this work, may see how very desirous I am to please them. I shall speake somewhat in this Discourse, of the divers opinions which have been, and shall declare in what Countries it is thought the ten Tribes are; and I shall close, after that I have brought them into their owne Country, which I shall prove by good reasons, following the Revelations of the holy Prophets, who I beleeve cannot be expounded otherwise, whatever some thinke; yet I intend not to dispute these things, but according to my custome, shall lay down fairly, and faithfully, the opinions of the _Jewes_ only. _SECT. 2._ You must know therefore, that _Alexis Vanegas_ saith, that the first Colonies of the _West-Indies_ were of the _Carthaginians_, who first of all inhabited _New-Spaine_, and as they encreased, spread to the Island _Cuba_; from thence to the continent of _America_; and after that towards _Panama_, _New-Spaine_, and the Isle of _Peru_. And he grounds himselfe on that reason, that as the _Carthaginians_ (who of old did most use the Seas) so those of _Peru_, and the Inhabitants of _New-Spaine_, did make use of Pictures instead of Letters.