Tue first chapter of this book, extending to the 45th page, is an account of the destruction of Jerusalem. It is introduced here to show that the prophecies which foretold this event, the dispersion of the Jews, and many other judgments which that nation was to suffer, were literally fulfilled. This fact is afterwards made the basis of an important argument.

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Mr. Smith talks in a confident manner, as though he was fairly stating the whole that the Scriptures contain in relation to his subject,—found it all in exact agreement with his opinion, and knew of no plausible arguments in opposition. He, however, deserves the credit of stating his testimonies clearly, and managing them with considerable skill. We can give but a few specimens of his mode of reasoning; and we shall select those arguments which he, in common with others, regards as most important.

The principal of these is derived from the fact, that the prophecies relating to the dispersion of the Jews were literally fulfilled. The inference is, that those prophecies which foretell their restoration, will also be literally fulfilled.

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Having proved that the ten tribes of Israel, who were carried away captive by the kings of Assyria about two thousand five hundred and fifty years ago, are to return to Palestine, Mr Smith proceeds in his third chapter to inquire where, and who these ten tribes are. The result is, that they are the American Indians. Many of our readers will recollect that this opinion was advanced by Mr. Adair, and English trader among the North American Indians, about fifty years ago. It was defended by him, and afterwards by Dr Boudinot, with considerable ingenuity. There are so many remarkable coincidences between the religious and Civil institutions and languages of the Indians and those of the Hebrews, as to form a very interesting subject of inquiry.

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Various degrees of credit are due to the authorities on which Mr. S. relies to support these assertions; but perhaps some sort of authority may be found for all of them. But these are not half the traditions and customs which Mr Smith adduces in support of his opinion, and many of the others are almost equally remarkable.

Another important argument is the supposed similarity of their language to the Hebrew. In the names appropriated to the Deity there is a very striking resemblance; and also in a great number of other words and phrases. In several examples the agreement is exact; and some gentlemen of considerable learning, have expressed an opinion that the radicals of all the Indian languages were Hebrew.

We can state no more of the interesting facts contained in this chapter, but must suggest a few objections to the opinion that the Indians are descendants from the ten tribes of Israel.

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Now, the features of Jews and Indians have almost nothing in common; their complexions are widely different, and their leading mental characteristics have as little agreement. These facts appear to us to furnish a stronger argument against their belonging to the Hebrew nation, than any we have seen in favour of it. Now it is far easier to account for the Indians having many things in common with the Hebrews, without supposing them to be of the same nation, than it is to explain how such differences as we have mentioned, exist between two branches of the same family, neither of which has intermarried with other nations.

We should infer from all the facts that are stated, that the Indians were of Asiatic origin, and most probably they were from the western part of Asia. We have no evidence that the customs and institutions of the Hebrews, which were sanctioned by divine authority, were all peculiar to that people, nor that they originated with them. Other nations probably had many that were similar, as, perhaps, every nation has regarded with reverence moral rules and principles similar to those given on Mount Sinai. Neither does it appear that the Jewish Scriptures were the first that God gave to men; on the contrary, there is strong proof that parts of the first books were compiled from earlier Scriptures; and the ancestors of the Indians might have had a “Book,” without being Hebrews.

It is very important to remark, that the traditions, customs, and similarities in language, which have been mentioned, do not all belong to any one tribe of Indians, but they are selected from the great variety of tribes of North and South America. Perhaps every tribe has some custom, or institution, or expression, in common with the Hebrews; and some of the tribes have several. This is not so remarkable as it at first appears. Compare the Indians with the Malays, or any other nation on the earth, and you will find many, perhaps as many, points of agreement.