[206-1] “He ordered then all his people to make great haste and the king ordered his vassals to help him and as an immense number joined with the Christians they managed so well and with such diligence that in a matter of ten days our stronghold was well made and as far as could be then constructed. He named it the City of Christmas (Villa de la Navidad) because he had arrived there on that day, and so to-day that harbor is called Navidad, although there is no memory that there even has been a fort or any building there, since it is overgrown with trees as large and tall as if fifty years had passed, and I have seen them.” Las Casas, I. 408.
[206-2] These were not islands, but districts whose chiefs were called by the same names. Cf. Las Casas, I. 410.
[207-1] For Yañez. Vincent Yañez Pinzon.
[208-1] Rather, “For now the business appeared to be so great and important that it was wonderful (said the Admiral) and he said he did not wish,” etc.
[208-2] The first suggestion of systematic colonization in the New World.
[209-1] See [note 2 under Jan. 9, p. 218].
[210-1] The actual number was 44, according to the official list given in a document printed by Navarrete, which is a notice to the next of kin to apply for wages due, dated Burgos, December 20, 1507. Markham reproduces this list in his edition of Columbus’s Journal.
[210-2] Las Casas gives the farewell speech of the Admiral to those who were left behind at Navidad, I. 415. It is translated in Thacher’s Columbus, I. 632.
[211-1] “It is not known how many he took from this island but I believe he took some, altogether he carried ten or twelve Indians to Castile according to the Portuguese History [Barros] and I saw them in Seville yet I did not notice nor do I recollect that I counted them.” Las Casas, I. 419.
[212-1] It is N. 80° E. 70 leagues. (Navarrete.)