Respecting the chronology of the American annals, it is rather obscure and doubtful; but perhaps not more so than that of all ancient nations except the Chinese. It frequently ascends as far as the floods and even the creation. The most ancient dates are found among the Tols or Toltecas and Atlantes, Mexicans or Aztecas, the Muyzcas, Ongwis, Linapis, &c. But it is difficult to make those dates agree among themselves, or with our oriental dates. However the American annals may be divided into great periods, which can be admitted as certain, and resting points of history at peculiar epochas. Here is their tabular view. I. Ancient history, ending with Columbus in 1492. 1. _Antidiluvian period_, beginning at the creation, about 6690 years before Columbus according to the Tols, and ending with the last cataclysm of Peleg, about 3788 years before Columbus. 2. _Doubtful period_, from that epocha till the reform of Tol astronomy, 1612 years before Columbus. This includes several subordinate periods and epochas. About 3100 years before Columbus, settlement of the Linapis in Shinaki or Firland or Oregon in N. W. America. About 2500 years before Columbus, wars of the Towancas and Ongwis, the hero Yatatan, &c. in North America. 3. _Certain period_, from 1612 till Columbus’ arrival in 1492. Many lesser periods and epochas. 442, after Christ—End of the Tollan kingdom. 492,—Beginning of Atotarho dynasty of Ongwis. 558,—Empire of Tol-tecas begins in Anahuac, and lasts till 942. 840,—Beginning of the wars of Zipanas and Caris in South Peru. 947,—Foundation of the kingdom of Mayapan by Cuculcan in Yucatan. 985,—Discovery of America by the Norwegians. 1000,—Conquest of Quito by the Skiris. 1105,—Beginning of the Incas empire. 1322,—Foundation of Tenuchtitlan or Mexico. II. Modern history, from 1492 till our days. 1. _Colonial Period_, from 1492 till 1776. 2. _Independent Period_, beginning in 1776. The foundation of the empire of Brazil in 1822 may begin a subordinate period. Each age may bear the name of a wise legislator or eminent personage: the ages of modern history are those of 1. Columbus, 2. Las-Casas, 3. William Penn, 4. Washington, 5. Bolivar. CHAPTER II. MATERIALS FOR THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICANS.—_Authors, Documents, Sciences.—Languages, Civilization, &c._ Far from following the example of many American historians, who often take a single guide for their crude compilations, or avoid the trouble to consult all the historical sources, I have taken care in my researches to employ all the possible means to reach the truth, and collect all the facts that are scattered among a crowd of writers. I have carefully analysed, compared and judged the materials, details and events thus procured: nay, all the auxiliary sciences have afforded additional fragments or proofs. These materials may be divided into 10 series or kinds