and assistance of Ferdinand and Isabella, King and Queen of Spain,
discovered the West Indian Islands, and some parts of the Continent
of South America, about the year 1492, or 1493 of Christ; and other
parts of it were discovered by Americus Vespucci (Vespucius) about
the year 1497, from whom the whole took its name; but neither of
them seems to have been the first European that visited America.
Dr. Gregory Sharp says that Behaim or Martin of Bohemia was there
about the year 1460.[b]

[Footnote b: Translation of Baron Holbergh's _Introduction to
Universal History_, p. 211. note. Edit. 1758. De Murr says that
Behem or Behaim, was a native of Nuremberg in Germany, acquainted
with Columbus, but had no right to dispute with him the discovery
of America.

Analytical Review Vol. II. p. 602.]

The Spaniards pretend not to any discovery prior to those of Columbus,
Americus, and Behaim.

That the Spaniards have no right to that Continent, as first
Discoverers, appears to me, very evident; for when they landed
there, they found among the Inhabitants some traces of European
languages and manners.

From the Testimonies of Travellers and Historians, there are strong
reasons to believe that the Ancient Britons landed on that Continent
nearly 300 years before Behaim or Columbus, so that if a first
discovery gives a right of possession, the whole Continent belongs
to the Ancient Britons. But, in truth, conquest is only oppression