Of the Opinion of Antonius Montezini

One Aaron Levi, alias Antonius Montezini, in a Treatise written Anno 5404, and dedicated to Manasseh Ben Israel, pretends to inform the World that in the West-Indies he has found out the most prodigious number of Jews, who being governed there by their own Laws to this Day, were separated from the other Indians by a great River. But bestides that this Imposter sufficiently contradicts himself in his Relations, making his Fellow Traveller sometimes a Christian, sometimes a Pagan, sometimes a Jew: Our late Voyages into those Parts have sufficiently detected the Imposture. Thus much is beyond all Question, that in the Time of Josephus, the Israelites did not inhabit America, but near the River Euphrates.

Aegidius Strauch. Breviarium chronologicum: or, A treatise describing the terms and most celebrated characters, periods, and epocha’s used in chronology. 1722.

A debate held at white-hall about the admission of the Jews, 1655

A failed attempt by Manasseh Ben Israel to win admission to England in 1655:

“Upon the tendring of certain Proposals to the Protector by Manasseh Ben Israel, a Jewish Merchant, in the behalf of his Hebrew Nation, for their free admission to Trade and exercise of the Religion in England, a Conference was held about it several days at White hall, but the Members of the Council, and certain Divines of the most Eminent then in esteem: and many Arguments being urged, some for, others against their admission; those against it so far prevailed, that the Proposals took no effect.”

Sir Richard Baker, Edward Phillips, Sir Thomas Clarges. A chronicle of the kings of England. 1684. Page 627