Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 31 December 1492

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Monday, 31 December 1492

Today I occupied myself with seeing that water and wood were taken aboard in preparation for the departure for Spain, in order to give speedy information to the Sovereigns, so that they may send ships to discover that which remains to be discovered. This enterprise already appears to be so great and of such importance that it is wonderful. I would like to see all the land to the east of here before departing, and to go all along this coast in order to learn its distance from Castile, so as to bring cattle and other things here. But I have only one ship remaining, and it does not appear reasonable to expose myself to the dangers that might occur in making these discoveries. All this trouble and inconvenience has arisen because the Pinta has deserted me.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 30 December 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Sunday, 30 December 1492 (Part 2)

In the midst of these festivities, an Indian arrived with the news that two days ago he had left the caravel Pinta in a harbor to the east. I returned to the Nina with this information, and while there, the Nina’s captain, Vincente Yanez Pinzon, told me that he had seen rhubarb on the island of Amiga, which is at the entrance of La Mer de Santo Tomas, 18 miles from here; he recognized the leaves and roots. They say that rhubarb sends small shoots out of the ground and bears fruit that look like green mulberries, almost dry. The stalk that grows from the root is yellow and as fine as the best color there can be to paint. Underground the root grows like a large pear.
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This picture was found on the Internet.
It shows the different levels of a CARAVEL type sailing vessel.  La Pinta, mentioned in today's Log entry, was a caravel.  It was much smaller, and faster, than the Santa Maria.  The Santa Maria wrecked on Christmas Day, which meant that the 39 sailors who had been aboard it could not all fit on the two remaining boats (Nina & Pinta) to return to Spain - but also, the Pinta had gone on a rogue mission of discovery of her own and hadn't been seen in 5 weeks.

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Sunday, 30 December 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Sunday, 30 December 1492

I went ashore to eat and arrived at the time when five Kings, who were subjects of Guacanagari,* arrived. They all wore crowns as an indication of their high rank, and Your Highnesses would be pleased to witness their bearing. When I came shore, the King took me by the arm and led me to the same house where I was yesterday, where he had the raised platform and the chair for me to sit in. he then took off his crown from his own head and placed it upon mine, and I took from around my neck a necklace of good bloodstones - very beautiful beads of fine colors, excellent in every way - and placed them around his neck. I then took off a cloak of fine scarlet cloth that I was wearing that day and clothed the King with it. I also sent for some colored boots, laced with leather thongs, and made him put them on, and I placed upon his finger a large silver ring. I had been told that he had seen a silver ring on one of my sailors and desired it very much. The King was joyful and overwhelmed, and two of these kings who were there with Guacanagari came to me, each presenting me with a large gold plaque.

*This is the first time Columbus has used the cacique’s formal name.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Saturday, 29 December 1492

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Saturday, 29 December 1492


At sunrise, a nephew of the King, a very young boy of good judgment and courage, came to the ship. Since I always attempted to learn where gold came from, I questioned everyone I could, and I already understood something by means of signs. In this manner the boy told me that at a distance of four days’ journey to the east there was an island called Guarionex, and others which they called Macorix, Mayonic, Fuma, Cibao and Coroay,* in which there was an infinite amount of gold. I wrote down these names, and a brother of the King, upon learning that the nephew had told me this, rebuked him, according to what I understood. Also, I had felt at other times that the King was trying to keep me in ignorance of the places where the gold was to be found and collected, so that I might not go to trade for it and buy it elsewhere. But there is so much of it and in so many locations on this Isla Espanola that it is wonderful. After dark the King sent a large mask of gold and begged me for a hand basin and pitcher. I believe that he asked for these so that he could copy them and make others, and therefore I sent them to him.

*These were all Indian provinces, not islands. Some of the names have survived, almost without change, such as Cibao and Macorix.

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The mask pictured is a pre-Columbian mask from Ecuador (not Taino)

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Friday, 28 December 1492

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Friday, 28 December 1492

I went ashore in order to hasten the construction of the fortress and to put on any final touches. Also, I wanted to establish a chain of command and instructions for those who were to remain. Apparently, the King saw me going to the boat. He entered his house quickly, pretending to ignore m arrival on land, but sent one of his brothers to receive me. He led me to one of the houses that had been given to us, which was one of the largest and best in the village. In this house the Indians had prepared a raised platform made from the inner bark of a palm tree, and here they sat me. Then the brother sent one of his pages to inform the King that I was there, as though the King did not already know it. I realize now that the King was pretending ignorance of all this in order to pay me even more honor. When the page told the Cacique, he came running to me and placed a large plate of gold around my neck, which he had carried in his hands. He stayed there with me until afternoon, considering what was to be done.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Thursday, 27 December 1492

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Thursday, 27 December 1492

At sunrise the King of this land came to the Nina and told me that he had sent for gold and wanted to cover me from head to foot with it before I departed, and he begge...d me not to leave before this. He ate with me, as did his brother and another close relative. Both the brother and the relative told me that they wished to go to Castile with me. At this time it was reported by an Indian messenger that the caravel Pinta had come to a river at the end of this island. This was the first report of its whereabouts since the night of 22 November, when it sailed east for the island of Babeque. The Cacique, who loved me so much that it was a marvel, instantly dispatched a canoe there, and one of my men went with it. I was already preparing to return to Castile as soon as possible.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 26 December 1492 (Part 3)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 3)
Wednesday, 26 December 1492

All this was the will of God: the ship’s running aground so easily that it could not be felt, with neither wind nor wave; the cowardice of the ship’s master and some of the crew (who were mostly from his part of Spain), who refused my order to cast the stern anchor to draw the ship off and save it; the discovery of this country.

Without God’s intervention this country would not have been known as it has come to be known during our time here, and as it will be known by the people I intend to leave here. I had been sailing all the time with the intention of making discoveries and not remaining anywhere longer than a day unless there was no wind because the Santa Marria was very cumbersome and not suited to the work of discovery. The reason I took that ship in the first place was due to the people of Palos, who did not fulfill to me what they had promised the King and Queen. I should have been given ships suitable for this journey, and the people of Palos did not do that. Of the Santa Maria’s contents, not a leather strap was lost, nor a board, nor a nail, because the ship remained as sound as when she started except that we chopped and split her some in order to remove the large casks and all the cargo. All these things have been placed on land and are well secured.

I hope to God that when I come back here from Castile, which I intend on doing, that I will find a barrel of gold, for which these people I am leaving will have traded, and that they will have found the gold mine, and the spices, and in such quantities, that within three years the Sovereigns will prepare for and undertake the conquest of the Holy Land. I have already petitioned Your Highnesses to see that all the profits of this, my enterprise, should be spent on the conquest of Jerusalem, and Your Highnesses smiled and said that the idea pleased them, and that even without this expedition they had the inclination to do it.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 26 December 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2)
Wednesday, 26 December 1492

I ordered that a Lombard and a musket be fired, and the King was spellbound when he saw the effect of their force and what they penetrated. When the people heard the shots, they fell to their knees. They brought me a large mask, which had large pieces of gold in the ears and eyes and in other places, which the King himself presented to me. He placed this, along with other jewels of gold, on my head and around my neck. They also gave many things to the men with me. I derived a great deal of pleasure and consolation from these things, and when I realized that this mitigated the trouble and affliction I had experienced by losing the ship, I recognized that Our Lord had caused me to run aground at this place so that I might establish a settlement here. And so many things came to hand here that the disaster was a blessing in disguise. Certainly, if I had not run aground here, I would have kept out to sea without anchoring at this place because it is situated inside a large bay containing two or three banks of shoals. Neither would I have left any of my people here on this voyage; even if I had desired to leave them, I could not have outfitted them well enough, nor given them enough ammunition, provisions, and materials for a fort. It is quite true that many of the people with me have pleaded with me to permit them to remain here.

Now I have ordered that a tower and a fortress be constructed,* very well built, with a large moat. This is not because I believe this to be necessary with these Indians, for I am sure that I could subjugate the entire island - which I believe is larger than Portugal with twice the population - with the men that I have in my company. These Indians are naked, unarmed, and cowardly beyond help. But it is right that this tower be built, and what must be, must be. Since these Indians are so far from Your Highnesses, it is necessary that the people here know your people and what they can do, in order that the Indians may obey Your Highnesses with love and fear.

The men remaining have timbers with which to construct the fortress and provisions of bread and wine for more than a year, as well as seeds for sowing, and the ship’s boat. I am leaving a caulker, a carpenter, a gunner, and a caskmaker among the many men who desire zealously to serve Your Highnesses and who will please me greatly if they find the mine where the gold comes from. Thus, everything that has happened was for this purpose, that this beginning may be made.

All this was the will of God: the ship’s running aground so easily that it could not be felt, with neither wind nor wave; the cowardice of the ship’s master and some of the crew (who were mostly from his part of Spain), who refused my order to cast the stern anchor to draw the ship off and save it; the discovery of this country.

Without God’s intervention this country would not have been known as it has come to be known during our time here, and as it will be known by the people I intend to leave here. I had been sailing all the time with the intention of making discoveries and not remaining anywhere longer than a day unless there was no wind because the Santa Marria was very cumbersome and not suited to the work of discovery. The reason I took that ship in the first place was due to the people of Palos, who did not fulfill to me what they had promised the King and Queen. I should have been given ships suitable for this journey, and the people of Palos did not do that. Of the Santa Maria’s contents, not a leather strap was lost, nor a board, nor a nail, because the ship remained as sound as when she started except that we chopped and split her some in order to remove the large casks and all the cargo. All these things have been placed on land and are well secured.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 26 December 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 1)
Wednesday, 26 December 1492

Today at sunrise the King of this country came to the Nina, where I was, and almost in tears told me not to be dismayed because he would give me whatever he had. He had already given two very large houses to my men, and he would give us more if we needed them. And yesterday he gave us as many canoes as we needed and the labor to unload the ship, and not even a breadcrumb was taken. They are so loyal and so respectful of the property of others, and this King is even more honest than the others.

While we were talking, another canoe came from some other place and brought some pieces of gold, which the Indians wished to trade for a hawk’s bell, for they valued hawks’ bells above everything else. The canoe had not even reached the Nina’s side when they called out and showed the pieces of gold, saying, “Chuque, chuque,” which means hawks’ bells, which they are crazy about. When they saw the difficulty we were having, these Indians from the other place departed, begging me to keep a hawk’s bell for them until tomorrow. They said that they would bring four pieces of gold as large as the hand. I was pleased to hear this. Then a sailor who had come from land told me that the wonderful pieces of gold my men were trading for in the village were costing practically nothing. For a leather thong the Indians gave pieces of gold worth more than two castellanos, and by the end of the month things should get even better.

The King was delighted to see me happy, and he understood that I desired a great deal of gold. He indicated by signs that he knew where there was a lot of it nearby and that I should be of good cheer, for he would give me as much of it as I desired. He told me all about this gold, specifically, that it is found in Japan, with they call Cibao. The people there have so much of it that they place no value on it at all and will bring it here. Also, the King told me, there is much gold here in the Isla Espanola, which they call Bohio, and in the province of Caribata.

The King dined with me on the Nina and afterwards went ashore with me, where he paid me great honor. Later we had a meal with two or three kinds of ajes, served with shrimp, game, and other foods they have, including their bread; which they call cazabe.* Then the King took me to see some groves of trees near the houses, and fully 1,000 people, all naked, went with us. The king was already wearing a shirt and a pair of gloves which I had given him, and he was more excited about the gloves than anything else that had been given him. By his manner of eating, his decent behavior, and his exceptional cleanliness, he showed himself to be of good birth.

After the meal we remained at the table for some time, and we were brought some herbs with which to rub our hands - I believe they use these to soften the skin. We were also given water for our hands. Later, after we had eaten, the Indians took me to the beach, and I sent for a Turkish bow and a handful of arrows. I had a man from my company who was a skilled archer shoot the arrows. Inasmuch as the King did not know what arms are, since his people neither possess nor use them, the demonstration impressed him very much. This all came about because we had a conversation about the people of Caniba, whom they call Caribes,* who come to seize them and who carry bows and arrows without iron tips. Nowhere in these lands is there knowledge or iron or steel, nor of any other metal except gold and copper, and I have seen very little of the latter. I told the King by signs that the Sovereigns of Castile would order the destruction of the Caribes, commanding the Caribes to be brought before them with their hands tied.

About the owner of the Santa Maria, Juan de la Cosa.

The owner of the Santa Maria was Juan de la Cosa, the same man who made (or compiled) the famous chart of the New World in 1500.  He sailed again with Columbus on the second voyage, made an expedition to South America with Alone Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci (1499); and was the pilot for Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1500-1501 (when Vasco Nunez de Balboa was aboard and the coast between Cartagena, Columbia, and Porto Belo Panama, was first explored).  In 1504 he returned to Santo Domingo to serve as Ojeda's lietenant in the colonization of what is now Columbia (called Nueva Andalucia).  In 1509, in a fight with the Carib, Juan de la Cosa died from a poisoned arrow.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 25 December 1492 Christmas Day (Part 3)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 3)


Tuesday, 25 December 1492 - Christmas Day

I took my crew to the Nina for their safety, and as there was a light land breeze and still half the night ahead of us, and since I did not know how far the banks extended, I eat about till daybreak and then went inside the bank to the ship. I also dispatched Diego de Arana, master-at-arms of the fleet, and Pedro Gutierrez, representative of the Royal Household, to take the small boat and go directly to the King that had last Saturday invited me to his village. I instructed them to beg the King to come to this harbor with his boats.

The village of this King is about 5 miles beyond this bank. My men told me that the King wept when he heard of the disaster. He sent all his people from the village with many large canoes to help us unload the ship. The King displayed great haste and diligence, and everything was unloaded in a very brief space of time. He himself personally assisted the unloading, along with his brothers and relatives, and guarded what was taken ashore in order that everything might be completely secure.

From time to time the King sent one of his relatives to me, weeping, to console me, and they said that I was not to be troubled or annoyed, for the King would give me whatever he possessed. I certify to Your Highnesses that in no part of Castile could things be so secure; not even a shoe string was lost!

The King ordered everything placed near the houses, even emptying some in order that everything could be stored and guarded. He ordered armed men placed around the houses to guard everything all night. He, with all his people in the village, wept a great deal. They are an affectionate people, free from avarice and agreeable to everything. I certify to Your Highnesses that in all the world I do not believe there is a better people or a better country. They love their neighbors as themselves, and they have the softest and gentlest voices in the world and are always smiling. They may go naked, but Your Highnesses may be assured that they have very good customs among themselves, and the King maintains a most marvelous state, where everything takes place in an appropriate and well-ordered manner. It is a pleasure to see all of this. These people have good memories and want to see everything; they ask what things are and for what purpose they are used.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 25 December 1492 Christmas Day

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2)


Tuesday, 25 December 1492 - Christmas Day

Our Lord willed that at midnight, when the crew saw me lie down to rest and also saw that there was a dead calm and the sea was as in a bowl, they all lay down to sleep and left the helm to that boy. The currents carried the ship upon one of these banks. Although it was night, the sea breaking on them made so much noise that they could be heard and seen at a 3 mile distance. The ship went upon the bank so quietly that it was hardly noticeable.* When the boy felt the rudder ground and heard the noise of the sea, he cried out. I jumped up instantly; no one else had yet felt that we were aground. Then the master of the ship, Juan de la Cosa,* who was on watch, came out. I ordered him to rouse the crew, to launch the small boat we carry on our stern, and to take an anchor and cast it at the stern. The master and many others jumped into the small boat, and I assumed they were going to follow my orders. Instead, their only thoughts were to escape to the Nina, which was 1 ½ miles to the windward. The crew of the Nina would not receive them, with was correct, and therefore they returned to the ship. But the boat from the Nina reached the ship before my own boat did!

When I saw that some of my own crew were fleeing and that the sea was becoming more shallow, with my ship broadside to it, I did the only thing I could. I ordered the mast cut and the ship lightened as much as

Possible, to see if it could be refloated. But the water became even more shallow, and the ship settled more and more to one side. Although there was little or no sea, I could not save her. Then the seams opened, though she remained in one piece.

*Columbus used the term "banco" (bank), where the Santa Maria grounded, not his term for coral reef (restinga de piedras).  The ship appears to have missed the reef, where the waves made the noise Columbus heard, and gently eased into a sand bank.  The ship was not really damaged very much, merely hopelessly stuck.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 25 December 1492 Christmas Day (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 1)

Tuesday, 25 December 1492 - Christmas Day

I sailed in a light wind yesterday from La Mar de Santo Tomas to Punta Santa, and at the passing of the first watch, 11 o’clock at night, I was 3 miles east of the point. I decided to lie down to sleep because I had not slept for two days* and one night. Since it was calm, the sailor who was steering the ship also decided to catch a few winks and left the steering to a young ship’s boy, a thing which I have always expressly prohibited throughout the voyage. It made no difference whether there was a wind or clam; the ships were not to be steered by young boys.

I felt secure from shoals and rocks because on Sunday, when I had sent the boats to that King, they had gone a good 10 miles to the east of Punta Santa, and the sailors had seen this entire coast and the shoals that extend from Punta Santa a good 9 miles to the ESE, and they saw where we could pass. This is something I had not done before on this voyage.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 24 December 1492 (Part 3)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 3)
Monday, 24 December 1492

Whoever has to enter La Mar de Santo Tomas must put in a good 3 miles above the mouth of the entrance toward a small flat island, which I have named La Amiga* and which is in the middle of the entrance, and he should turn the prow toward it. After arriving within a stone’s throw of the island, he must go west, leaving the island to the east, and he must keep near it and not go to the other side, because there is a very large reef to the west. Also, in the sea outside it there are three shoals, and this reef reaches within a Lombard shot of La Amiga. He will then pass in the middle and will find at the most shallow place 7 fathoms of water, with gravel underneath; inside he will find a harbor for all the ships in the world where they can remain without anchors. There is another reef and more shoals that extend from the east toward the said island of La Amiga. These are very large, extending far out into the sea and reaching almost within 6 miles of the cape. But it appears that there is an entrance between them and at a distance of two Lombard shots from La Amiga. At the foot of Monte Caribatan on its west side there is a very good and large harbor.

*The Girlfriend; now known as Ile des Rats.

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Picture of the Santa Maria found on the Internet

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 24 December 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2)
Monday, 24 December 1492

Your Highnesses may believe that in all the world there cannot be better or more gentle people. Your Highnesses must be greatly pleased because you will soon make them Christians and will teach them the good customs of your realms, for there cannot be a better people or country. The people are so numerous and the country so great that I do not yet know how to describe it. I have already spoken in the superlative degree of the people and country of Juana, which they call Cuba. But there is as much difference between the people of this country and the people of Juana as there is between day and night. Neither do I believe that any other person who saw this would have done or said less than I have said. Indeed it is true that the things here are marvelous, and so also are the great villages of this Isla Espanola, as I have named it, and which they call Bohio. And all the people behave in a remarkable friendly manner and speak softly, not like the other Indians, who appear to threaten when they speak. And the men and women are of good stature and are not black. It is true that they all paint themselves, some black, some other colors, but mostly red. I have learned that they do this on account of the sun,* which does not injure them as much if they are painted. And the houses and settlements are very attractive, governed by a chief or judge whom all obey, and it is a marvel. And all these chiefs are men of few words and have fine manners, and their orders are usually given by a sign of the hand, and then it is understood, which is a marvel.

*This may be the first reference in history to suntan lotion!
       ----------------------
(Picture found on the Internet)

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 24 December 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 1)
Monday, 24 December 1492

Before sunrise I weighed anchors with a land breeze. Among the many Indians who had come to the ship yesterday, telling us about gold on the island and where it ...could be found, was one who appeared to be better disposed and more friendly. I flattered him, and asked him to go with me to show me the gold mines; he accepted the invitation, bringing with him a companion, or relative. Among the other places they named where gold could be found was Japan, which they call Cibao.* They said that there is a great quantity of gold there and that the Cacique carries banners of hammered gold, but that it is a great distance to the east.

(Picture was found on the Internet and is a hammered gold, pre-Columbian nose ring.)

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 23 December 1492 (Part 5)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 5)

Sunday, 23 December 1492

When my secretary and his men were in the Cacique’s village, he finally came to them, and all the people of the village, more than 2,000 of them, came together in the plaza, which was very clean. This King* paid great honors to the men, giving them food and drink. Then the King gave each one some cotton cloths such as the women wear, and parrots for me, and some gold. The common people also gave the sailors some of the same cloths and other things from their houses in exchange for the little trifles that were given them. Judging by the way they received them, it seemed as though these items were of great value. In the afternoon, when my men wished to leave, the King begged them to stay, as did all of the people. But when they saw that my men were determined to depart, many of the Indians went with them, carrying on their backs the gifts from the King and from the people, as far as the boats, which remained at the entrance of the river.


*Columbus uses este rey here (“this king”). He frequently interchages king, lord, chief (cacique), etc.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 23 December 1492 (Part 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 4)

Sunday, 23 December 1492

I think that more than 1,000 persons came to the ship, all bringing something from what they possessed. Even before these canoes reached the ship, at a distance of half a crossbow shot, the Indians arose and help up what they were bringing, saying, “Take, take.” I think that another 500 swam to the ships because they did not have canoes, and we were anchored 3 miles from land! I judge that five princes, sons of chiefs, with all their servants, including women and children, came to see us. I ordered that something be given to everyone, for it was well spent. May Our Lord in His mercy direct me until I find this gold - this mine - because I have many people here who say that they know where it is.

My secretary and the boats arrived during the night, saying that they had traveled a great distance, and that at the mountain of Caribatan they had found many canoes with a great many people who were coming from the place to which we were headed. I consider it certain that, if I can be in that harbor for Christmas, everyone on this island will come there to see us, and I estimate that this island is larger than England. My men tell me that this village is larger and with better arranged streets than any others we have passed and discovered up to now. The village is about 9 miles SE of Punta Santa.*

Since the canoes go rapidly with oars, they went on ahead to inform the Cacique that we were coming. I have not been sure, up until now, whether Cacique meant king or governor. They also have another word for a nobleman, Nitaino. I do not know if this means hidalgo, governor, or judge.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 23 December 1492 (Part 3)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 3)

Sunday, 23 December 1492

A great many Indians came back with the sailor, carrying for them all the gifts and items of trade. They contended among themselves for the honor of carrying my people on their shoulders and actually did carry them across some rivers and swampy places. I ordered that some things should be given to the Chief, and he and all his people were greatly please, believing that we had come from Heaven and that they were fortunate in seeing us. More than 120 canoes came to the ships today. They all brought something, especially their bread and fish, small earthen jars of water, and seeds of many good kinds of spices. Some of these seeds they put in a gourd full of water and drank it, and the Indians with me said that is very healthy.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 23 December 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2)

Sunday, 23 December 1492

When my secretary and the five men accompanying him reached the place where the Chief’s messengers led them, the Chief took the secretary by the hand and conducted him to his house, accompanied by a great throng of people. He had the people give my men something to eat, and the Indians also brought balls of spun cotton and many things made of cotton. Later in the afternoon, the Chief gave my men three very fat geese and some small pieces of gold.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 23 December 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus

Sunday, 23 December 1492

Because there was no wind, I did not depart today for the country of the Chief who had sent me an invitation; instead, I sent my secretary and five men to a very large village 9 miles to the east.

At the same time, I sent two of the Indians with me to the villages near the place where we are anchored. Later they returned to the ships with a Chief, and with the news that in this Isla Espanola there is a great quantity of gold and that people from other places come here to buy it. They said that there is as much gold as we desire. Others came who confirmed that there is much gold on the island, and they showed me the manner of obtaining it. I understood all this with great difficulty, but I felt certain that there was a very large amount of gold and that if I found the source I could get it very cheaply, or even for nothing. In the three days that I have been in this harbor I have received good pieces of gold, and I cannot believe that it is brought from another country. May Our Lord, Who has all things in His hands, assist me and give me whatever may be for His service.

This map of languages on the island of Hispanola at the time of conquest (1492+) was created by Francisco 'Coqui' Baerga, based on the writings of the priest, Ramon Pane.

The Log of Christopher Columbus by Robert H. Fuson

The Log of Christopher Columbus by Robert H. Fuson, this is the book we are posting excerpts from.

Jamaican Colin Jackson's DNA results from British TV Show, 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/whodoyouthinkyouare/past-stories/colin-jackson.shtml

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Saturday, 22 December 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Columbus

Saturday, 22 December 1492 (Part 2)

The Indians in the canoe met the boat from the ship and gave the belt to a boy and came with their canoe alongside the ship. Quite a bit of time was spent trying to communicate with each other, because the Indians with me had difficulty understanding these Indians. There is some difference in the names of things.* Finally, through the use of signs, I understood the invitation they were extending, and I determined to star for the Chief’s village tomorrow, although I am not in the habit of leaving port on Sunday. This is solely on account of devotion and has nothing to do with any superstition whatever. Furthermore, I am striving to please these people and be agreeable to them because the good will they display makes me hope that they will be converted to Christianity. I trust that this will be accomplished by the Sovereigns of Castile because I already consider that they belong to the Sovereigns and that they may serve the Sovereigns with zeal.

*Columbus makes the first reference to a language change. He is approaching the linguistic frontier of Taino, or Island Arawak.

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Saturday, 22 December 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Columbus

Saturday, 22 December 1492

(The Log becomes convoluted at this point. The entry for 22 December also contains material for 23 December, as well as additional commentary by Las Casas (the priest who translated this from Latin) omitted in this translation. Even with events assigned to their correct sequence, the account of the visit of Columbus’ secretary to the village seems to be told twice, in parallel but slightly varied accounts.)

I set sail at dawn in order to go on my course in search of the islands that the Indians said contained a great deal of gold. Some are said to have more gold than is to be found on the mainland. But the weather was not favorable, and I had to anchor again. I sent the boat to fish with nets.

The Chief* of this country, who lives near here, sent a large canoe full of people, among whom was one of his principle advisors. He begged me to go with the ships to his country and said that he would give me anything he had. He sent me a belt which had hanging from it, in place of a purse, a mask with two large ears, a tongue, and a nose of hammered gold. These people are so generous; they give whatever is asked of them, willingly, and it seems that you are doing them a favor to request something from them.

*The first reference to the great Cacique, Guacanagari.

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The comment, "*The first reference to the great Cacique, Guacanagari," was made by the author of the book, The Log of Columbus.  Many Taino people, past and present, believe Guacanagari was a traitor.

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Friday, 21 December 1492 (Part 5)

Taken from The Log of Columbus (Part 5)

Friday, 21 December 1492

In this region there are very high mountains that seem to reach Heaven; the mountains of Tenerife appear to be nothing in comparison with them in height and beauty. There are all green and forested, and they surround very pleasant plains. At the foot of this harbor to the south there is one such great plain without an obstructing mountain. The end of this plain cannot be seen; it must be 45 or 60 miles long. A river flows through it, and it is all populated and cultivated and is as green now as if it were Castile in May or June, although the nights are 14 hours long and the land is quite far north. This harbor is very good, well sheltered from any winds, and deep. And the entire country is inhabited by very good and gentle people, without arms, either good or bad. And any ship whatever may be free from fear in this harbor, for no ship can come in at night and attack it. Although the mouth is no more than 6 miles wide, it is very restricted by two rocky reefs that are hardly visible above water. There is a very narrow entrance in this reef that looks as though it could only have been made by hand, leaving an opening wide enough for ships to enter. In the mouth it is 7 fathoms deep to the foot of a small level island, which has a beach and trees on its shore. The entrance is on the west, and a ship can approach near enough to reach shore without fear. There are three islands to the NW and a large river 3 miles from the head of the harbor. It is the best harbor in the world and I have named it the Puerto de la Mar de Santo Tomas, because this is his feast day. I called this a sea because it is so large.

*Photo is recent photo of the actual harbor referred to in this post, Bay de l'Acul, Haiti

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Friday, 21 December 1492 (Part 4)

Taken from The Log of Columbus (Part 4)

Friday, 21 December 1492

I sent six sailors to explore the village, and the people showed them all the honor they knew how to show and gave them whatever they had, utterly convinced that I and all my people came from Heaven. The Indians I had brought from the other islands also believed this, even though what they ought to believe in this respect had already been explained to them. After my six men had returned, some canoes came carrying people who begged me on the part of their Chief,* to go to his village when I left here.

Since the Chief’s village was situated on a point of land right on the way, and since he was waiting for me with many of his people, I went there. But before I started, so many men, women, and children came to the shore that it was alarming. They were all crying loudly that I must not leave. But the Chief’s messengers who had come to invite me were waiting in their canoes, so I went to see him.

When I arrived where the Chief was waiting for me, he ordered all his people to be seated. They brought us many things to eat and took food to our boats. After they saw that I had received what they had brought, most of them ran back to the village, which must have been near, in order to get more food, which they offered, along with parrots and other things, with such generosity that it was amazing. I gave them glass beads, brass rings, and hawk’s bells, not because they had asked for anything but because it seemed to me to be the right thing to do and, above all, because I already consider them to be Christians and subjects of the Sovereigns of Castile. They belong to the Sovereigns even more than do the people of Castile. Nothing is lacking except knowledge of their language in order to give them commands because they do whatever they are told, without contradiction. When I departed for the ships all the men, women, and children cried out for us to remain. And even as we were departing, canoes filled with Indians followed us to the ships. I treated them with every courtesy and gave them things to eat and other items I had with me. Another Chief had come previously from the west, and many people even came swimming out to us, though the ship was more than a mile from land.

The Chief that I mentioned had departed, and I sent a few men to see him and question him about these islands. He received my men very well, taking them to his village and giving them some large pieces of gold. They came to a large river that the Indians swam across, but my men were not able to do so and came back.

*Literally, "Senor," i.e., "Lord," or "Chief" in this context.

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Friday, 21 December 1492 (Part 3)

Taken from The Log of Columbus (Part 3)

Friday, 21 December 1492

These people have no spears, arrows,* or any other arms, not have the other inhabitants of this island, which I believe to be very large. They are as naked as their mothers gave them birth, men as well as women - unlike the people of Juana and the other islands, where the women wore in front pieces of cotton, something like men’s drawers, with which they covered their private parts, especially after the age of 12. But here neither young nor old wore anything. In the other places we have been the men made the women hide from us, through jealousy, but here they do not, and there are some very pretty women. They were the first who came to give thanks to Heaven and bring whatever they had, especially things to eat, such as bread made from ajes, peanuts, and five or six kinds of fruit. I ordered some of the fruit preserved in order to take it to the Sovereigns. The women in the other places did the same thing before the men concealed them.

I ordered that at no time were any of my men to annoy any of these people in any manner - to be on guard against it - and that no one was to take anything from them against their will. For everything we received we traded something in return. I cannot believe that we have found a people with such good hearts, so liberal in giving, and so timid, that they strip themselves of everything to give all that they have to us and, upon arrival, run to bring us everything.

*Columbus is mistaken. The natives had no bows and arrows, but spears were seen on San Salvadore; on 3 December Columbus had even calmed hostile Indians by trading for their spears.

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Friday, 21 December 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Columbus

Friday, 21 December 1492

My two men returned and told me they had seen a large village not far from the sea. I ordered them to row ashore as near as they could to where the village was. Soon I saw some Indians approaching the shore, apparently in fear; because of that I ordered the boats stopped and told the Indians with me to speak to them and tell them that no injury would be done to them. The Indians then drew nearer to the shore, and I drew nearer to the land. As soon as they were reassured that we meant them no harm, they came in great numbers, covering the beach and offering a thousand thanks, the men as well as the women and children. Some ran here and other there to bring us some of that bread that they make from niames,* which they call ajes. This bread is very white and good. They also brought us water in gourds and clay pitchers shaped like those of Castile. They brought us all that they had in this world, knowing what I wanted, and they did it so generously and willingly that it was wonderful. It cannot be said that they gave this to us freely only because it was of little value, for they gave us pieces of gold in the same way, as liberally as those who gave us a gourd of water. It is easy to recognize when something is given very willingly and eagerly.

*This was not sweet potato bread, but probably from the yuca.

Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Friday, 21 December 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Columbus (Part 1)

Friday, 21 December 1492

Today I went with the ships’ boats to see this harbor, which surpasses any other harbor* I have seen before. I have praised the others so much that I do not know how to rate this one highly enough. I fear that I will be accused of stretching the truth to an excessive degree when I say that this is the finest harbor I have encountered in these islands. Still, there are experienced men with me who will confirm that everything I have said about the other harbors is true, but that this is much finer than any of the others.

I have been sailing the seas for 23 years, without laying off for any time long enough to be counted, and I have seen all the East and West (as it is called in going to the north, which is England), and I have traveled through Guinea, but in all those regions harbors as perfect as these will never be found. And it has been the case that each harbor I have come to has been better than the last one. I have considered what I have written very carefully, and I assert I have written correctly and that now this harbor surpasses all the others. All the ships of the world could be contained in it, it is so sheltered that the oldest line on the ship would hold it fast.

It is 4 ½ miles from the entrance to the innermost point. I saw well-cultivated fields, although they are all like that. I ordered two men to get out of the boats and go climb a hill to see if there was a village since none could be seen from the sea. I know that the area is inhabited with many people because of the extensive fields; moreover, last night, about 10 o’clock, some Indians came to the ship in a canoe to see us, believing that we are supernatural. I gave them some of the articles of barter, with which they were greatly pleased.


*The harbor was Acul Bay.  Columbus named the vast approach to the bay La Mar de Santo Tomas (The Sea of St. Thomas).  The bay itself was named the Puerto de la Mar de Santo Tomas (Port of the Sea of St. Thomas).

We welcome you to join us as we explore our Taino culture

The Taino people occupied the four major islands of the Greater Antilles; Cuba, Kiskeya, Boriken and Jamaica. 

The Taino had a beautiful, spiritual life, in an idyllic paradise with a temperate climate, oceans and rivers filled with fish, fruit trees and fertile lands that yielded all they needed to survive.  They built homes and roads, and held feasts, festivities, ceremonies and games in their batey courts.  They had a royal class of leaders, councils of elders, spiritual leaders, healers, warriors, messengers, artisans, guards, workers, and more.  They travelled from island to island in their canoes, created from single lengths of logs.  The people are most often described as kind, generous and peaceful.  The very name Taino means, “the good people”. 

The lives and culture of the ancient Taino were disrupted by the arrival of Columbus and the Spanish Conquest. 

The goal of this page is to teach about the history of our Taino ancestors, with honor, dignity and respect, and to show that, despite what some people say about our extinction, we survived the conquest.  

Guakia Taino, Guakia Yahabo (We are Taino, We are still here).