ides of May that Columbus sailed from Cadiz with a squadron of four vessels of from fifty to sixty tons burthen, manned by one hundred and seventy men.[1] Five days of favourable weather brought him to the Canaries; seventeen days’ sailing brought him to the island of Domingo, the home of the Caribs, and from thence he reached Hispaniola in five days more, so that the entire crossing from Spain to Hispaniola occupied twenty-six days, thanks to favourable winds and currents, which set from the east towards the west.  According to the mariners’ report the distance is twelve hundred leagues.

[Note 1:  This was the fourth voyage of Columbus.]

He stopped in Hispaniola for some time, either of his own accord or with the Viceroy’s[2] assent.  Pushing straight to the west, he left the islands of Cuba and Jamaica towards his right on the north, and discovered to the south of Jamaica an island called by its inhabitants Guanassa.[3] This island is incredibly fertile and luxuriant.  While coasting along its shores, the Admiral met two of those barques dug out of tree trunks of which I have spoken.  They were drawn by naked slaves with ropes round their necks.  The chieftain of the island, who, together with his wife and children, were all naked, travelled in these barques.  When the Spaniards went on shore the slaves, in obedience to their master’s orders, made them understand by haughty gestures that they would have to obey the chief, and when they refused, menaces and threats were employed.  Their simplicity is such that they felt neither fear nor admiration on beholding our ships and the number and strength of our men.  They seemed to think the Spaniards would feel the same respect towards their chief as they did.  Our people perceived that they had to do with merchants returning from another country, for they hold markets.  The merchandise consisted of bells, razors, knives, and hatchets made of a yellow and translucent stone; they are fastened in handles of hard and polished wood.  There were also household utensils for the kitchen, and pottery of artistic shapes, some made of wood and some made of that same clear stone; and chiefly draperies and different articles of spun cotton in brilliant colours.  The Spaniards captured the chief, his family and everything he possessed; but the Admiral soon afterwards ordered him to be set at liberty and the greater part of their property restored, hoping thus to win their friendship.

[Note 2:  This direct violation of his orders was due to his wish to trade one of his vessels, which was a slow sailer, for a quicker craft.]

[Note 3:  Guanaya or Bouacia, lying off the coast of Honduras.]

Having procured some information concerning the country towards the west, Columbus proceeded in that direction and, a little more than ten miles farther, he discovered a vast country which the natives call Quiriquetana, but which he called Ciamba.  There he caused the Holy Sacrifice to be celebrated upon the shore.  The natives were numerous and wore no clothing.  Gentle and simple, they approached our people fearlessly and admiringly, bringing them their own bread and fresh water.  After presenting their gifts they turned upon their heels bowing their heads respectfully.  In exchange for their presents, the Admiral gave them some European gifts, such as strings of beads, mirrors, needles, pins, and other objects unknown to them.