English,
And Castilian King, concerning a New World.
Sails from Cadiz to discover New Countreys.
His People rebel.
Discovers Hispaniola.
Trades with the Natives.
Colonus, whom we shall henceforth call Columbus, spent his Youth near the Sea, where he was busie exploring the Winds, considering their Natures, and the Quarters whence they rose, especially with the setting of the Current from the Atlantick to the Mediterrane. The Western Winds, which often, as well as the Levant, blow several days together from the great Ocean, much amusing him, hinted at last some Notions, that there might be another World, and new Places to be discover’d, beyond the setting of the Sun; and that the Ne plus ultra should not be, if he could help it, the commanding Terminary of the Earth that way. He also spent much time, being of a solid Judgment, in the Emendations of Charts and Maps, then very much improvable: And the Portuguese, who at that time had got the start in Navigation from all other People, being then busie to find a way by the South of Africa to the East-Indies, not contented to go by hearsay, he went himself in Person a Voyage with them. Soon after Columbus settled himself in the Island Madera, where an Accident hapned, which Francis Lopez de Gomesa relates thus: “The Master of a Ship, whose Name and Countrey lies buried in Oblivion (though some would have him to be of Spain, some an Andalusian or Biscayner, and others a Portuguese) Trading the Canaries and Flemmish-Isles, was surpris’d by a hideous Tempest from the East, which hurried him nolens volens through dreadful Waves, where at last he found himself ingag’d upon a Western Coast, altogether unknown. The Storm ceasing, without making further Discoveries, he pick’d his way homeward, at last Landing in the Haven of Madera: All his Crew but three and himself, with hardship, want, and the long Voyage having perish’d, himself dangerously sick, was carried into Columbus his House; where lying on his Death-Bed, he bequeath’d to Columbus his Maps, Journals, and other Observations of this his unfortunate Voyage.” Columbus being by these Papers more confirm’d than ever in his Opinion of a New World in the West, declar’d what he verily believ’d, to the States of Genoa; but they look’d upon him as a vain and idle Fellow; yet Columbus full of his great Project, thus slighted and scornfully rejected, sate not so down, but address’d himself to the King of Portugal, where they wearied him, spending long time with dilatory Answers, to no effect; the Opinion of a whole Court of expert Navigators having cast his Declaration out, as a Chimera or meer Fancy. Soon after Columbus sending his Brother into England, to move the Business to King Henry the Seventh, he being taken Prisoner by the way, and lying long er’e his Release, came too late to the English Court, prevented by the News of Christopher’s return with Success from his intended Voyage: For mean while Ferdinando and Isabella King of Castile, having finish’d his Wars with the Moors, had furnish’d him out for the Expedition; which he effected by the favor of Alfonso Mendotio and Alfonso Quintavilia, both great Ministers of State under Ferdinand and Isabel, and obtain’d so much at last, that he was sent with a hundred and twenty Souldiers, besides Sea-men, in two Ships, and one Pinnace. Thus supplied, he set Sail from Cadiz upon the Kings account the fourth of August, Anno 1492. and first reach’d the Canary-Islands, and from thence steering South-West, the Wind in thirty three days scarce varying one Point: But though the Weather blew so constant, yet the Sea-men chang’d their Minds, and Storm’d quite contrary, crying, That Columbus was guilty of all their Deaths: For (said they, after they had lost sight of the Canaries so many days, nothing appearing but Sea and Sky) Who can hope for any Success or happy conclusion of so desperate a Voyage, so rashly undertaken, and found now so full of eminent danger? Yet Columbus bore bravely up, and weather’d all their Exclamations, although they threatned no less than his Murder: At last Articling, they came to this Agreement, That if after sailing forwards three days more, no Land were discover’d, they should return: But about two a Clock the next Night, Columbus saw a glimmering like Fire in the Sky, and in the Morning found himself close aboard a most pleasant Coast, where Landing with twelve Men, he erected a Cross cut out of a Tree. Thence he sail’d over to Cuba, where the Sea was so rough, that he was forc’d to stand off, fearing Rocks and Shallow Water. Soon after he got to the Northward of the Island Haytin, which he call’d Hispaniola: Here his best Ship was bulged upon a Rock, on which they had all perish’d, had it not been flat on the top, so that the Soldiers and the whole Crew of Sea-men were sav’d by the two Vessels. The Inhabitants stark naked, seeing these Strangers, fled to the Woods; but the Spaniards overtaking a Woman, they entertain’d her with Sweet-meats and Spanish Wine, and putting her on a white Shirt, sent her again to the rest of the Natives, where return’d, she told what good Entertainment she had had to her Companions; whereupon divers of the Islanders came aboard of the Spaniards, in Boats made of one piece of Wood, where they barter’d Gold for Beads, pieces of Glass, Knives, Shells, and other Trifles. The King of Guaccanarillo gave testimony of peculiar inclination to the Spaniards, helping them to Fish up the remaining Goods of the Wreck, and inform’d them, That some Rivers flowing from the tops of high Mountains, wash’d down the Gold amongst the Sand: notwithstanding a strange Prophecy had been told to these Islanders, namely, That Bearded Men out of remote Countries should destroy their Goods, take their Land, and massacre their Children. He also told them what made them fly, and betake them to their Heels at the arrival of the Spaniards, because they were oftentimes surpris’d by the Cannibals, who snatch’d up all they could lay hold on: Their Boys and Striplings they gelded, cooping and cramming them up, as we our Capons, for Feasts: The young and well-grown Men they chopp’d to pieces, salted, and Barrel’d up: Young Women they preserv’d for breed, and old ones they made Slaves. These Cannibals were so terrible to the Inhabitants of Haytin, that a thousand of them durst not venture to engage against ten, but would run every way, dispers’d like Flocks of Sheep before the Wolf.
Lastly, Their King permitted the Spaniards to build a Lodge or Hovel, wherein thirty or forty of them might shelter; but indeed so taking possession in right of the King of Spain.
Returns to Spain.
Is highly honor’d.