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Columbus•EPISTOLA DE INSULIS NUPER REPERTIS
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Epistola Christoferi Colom—cui etas nostra multum debet, de insulis in mari Indico nuper inventis, ad quas perquirendas octavo antea mense auspiciis et ere invictissimi Fernandi Hispaniarum Regis missus fuerat—ad magnificum dominum Raphaelem Sanxis, eiusdem serenissimi Regis thesaurarium, missa, quam nobilis ac litteratus vir Aliander de Cosco ab Hispano ideomate in latinum convertit tercio Kalendas Maii .M.cccc.xciij. Pontificatus Alexandri Sexti anno primo.] Quoniam suscepte provinciæ rem perfectam me consecutum fuisse gratum tibi fore scio, has constitui exarare, quæ te uniuscuiusque rei in hoc nostro itinere geste inventeque admoneant.
The letter of Christopher Columbus— to whom our age owes much, concerning the islands in the Indian sea recently discovered, to search for which he had been sent eight months earlier under the auspices and at the expense of Ferdinand, most unconquered King of the Spains — to the magnificent lord Raphael Sanxis, treasurer of the same most serene king, sent; which the noble and literate man Aliander de Cosco translated from the Spanish idiom into Latin on April 29, 1493, in the first year of the pontificate of Alexander VI.] Since I know it will be pleasing to you that I have attained the matter of the assumed province as perfected, I have resolved to write these things, which may remind you of each particular thing done and found in this our voyage.
Tricesimo tercio die postquam Gadibus discessi, in mare Indicum perveni, ubi plurimas insulas innumeris habitatas hominibus reperi. Quarum omnium pro fœlicissimo Rege nostro, præconio celebrato et vexillis extensis, contradicente nemine possessionem accepi. Primeque earum divi Salvatoris nomen imposui, cuius fretus auxilio tam ad hanc quam ad ceteras alias pervenimus.
On the thirty-third day after I departed from Gades, I arrived in the Indian Ocean, where I found very many islands inhabited by innumerable people. Of all these I took possession for our most felicitous King, the proclamation having been celebrated and the banners unfurled, with no one contradicting. And upon the first of them I imposed the name of the Divine Savior, relying on whose aid we came both to this one and to the others besides.
Quam primum in eam insulam (quam dudum Iohannam vocari dixi) appulimus, iuxta eius littus occidentem versus aliquantulum processi, tamque eam magnam nullo reperto fine inveni, ut non insulam, sed continentem Chatay provinciam esse crediderim, nulla tamen videns oppida municipiave in maritimis sita confinibus preter aliquos vicos et predia rustica, cum quorum incolis loqui nequibam. Quare simul ac nos videbant, surripiebant fugam. Progrediebar ultra existimans aliquam me urbem villasve inventurum.
As soon as we made landfall on that island (which I earlier said is called Joanna), I proceeded a little along its shore toward the west, and I found it so great, with no end discovered, that I would have believed it not an island but the continent of the province of Chatay; yet I saw no towns or municipalities situated on the maritime borders, except some villages and rustic estates, with whose inhabitants I was not able to speak. Wherefore, as soon as they saw us, they would steal away in flight. I advanced farther, supposing that I would find some city or villas.
Finally, seeing that, although we had advanced very far, nothing new was emerging, and that a course of this sort was carrying us to the north (which I myself was eager to shun; for winter was reigning on the lands, and it was in my intention to make for the south, nor were the winds any less favorable to those demanding this), I resolved not to await other outcomes. And so, turning back to a certain port (which I had marked), I returned. Whence I sent two of our men onto the land to investigate whether there might be a King in that province or any cities. These walked for three days and found innumerable peoples and habitations, small, however, and without any regimen of government.
Interea ego iam intellexeram a quibusdam Indis, quos ibidem susceperam, quomodo huiusmodi provincia insula quidem erat. Et sic perrexi orientem versus eius semper stringens littora usque ad miliaria .cccxxij., ubi ipsius insulæ sunt extrema. Hinc aliam insulam ad [f. 31r] orientem prospexi distantem ab hac Iohanna miliaribus .liiij.
Meanwhile I had already learned from certain Indians, whom I had taken on board there, that this province was indeed an island. And so I proceeded toward the east, always skirting its shores, up to 322 miles, where the extremities of that island are. From here I sighted another island to the east [f. 31r], at a distance of 54 miles from this one, Joanna.
All these islands are most beautiful and distinguished by various figures, passable and full of a very great variety of trees licking the stars. I do not believe they are ever deprived of leaves, for I saw them so green and adorned, as in the month of May in Spain they are wont to be. Of these, some were flowering, others fruitful, others were thriving in another state according to the quality of each.
Philomel was chattering, and other passerines, diverse and innumerable, in the month of November, as I myself was strolling among them. Moreover, on the said island Joanna there are seven or eight kinds of palms, which in height and pulchritude (just as all the other trees, herbs, and fruits) easily surpass our own.
In ea autem, quam Hispanam supra diximus nuncupari, maximi sunt montes ac pulchri, vasta rura, nemora, campi feracissimi seri pa<s>c<u>isque et condendis edificiis aptissimi. Portuum in hac insula commoditas et præstantia flumi[f. 31v]num copia salubritate admixta hominum—quæ nisi quis viderit—credulitatem superat. Huius arbores, pascua et fructus multum ab illis Iohane differunt.
In that one, however, which we said above is called the Spanish, there are very great and beautiful mountains, vast countrysides, groves, fields most fertile for sowing and for pastures, and most suitable for establishing edifices. The convenience and preeminence of the harbors on this island, the abundance of rivers [f. 31v], with salubrity for men mixed in—which, unless someone has seen it—surpasses belief. The trees, pastures, and fruits of this island differ much from those of Iohanna.
Cuius quidem et omnium aliarum, quas ego vidi et quarum cognitionem habeo, incole utriusque sexus nudi semper incedunt, [f. 32r] quemadmodum eduntur in lucem, præter aliquas feminas, que folio frondeve aliqua aut bombicino velo pudenda operiunt, quod ipse sibi ad id negocii parant. Carent hi omnes (ut supra dixi) quocunque genere ferri. Carent et armis, utpote sibi ignotis, nec ad ea sunt apti; non propter corporis deformitatem (cum sint bene formati), sed quia sunt timidi ac pleni formidine.
Of this land indeed, and of all the others which I have seen and of which I have cognition, the inhabitants of both sexes always go naked, [f. 32r] just as they are brought forth into the light, except for some women, who cover the privy parts with a leaf or some frond, or with a bombazine veil, which they themselves prepare for that purpose. All these (as I said above) lack whatever kind of iron. They also lack arms, as being unknown to them, nor are they apt for them; not on account of deformity of body (since they are well-formed), but because they are timid and full of fear.
They carry, however, in place of arms, reeds scorched by the sun, at the bases of which they fix a certain dry ligneous shaft tapered into a point; nor do they dare to use these continually. For it often happens, when I have sent two or three men of mine to some villas, that while they were speaking with their inhabitants, a massed column went out from the Indians and, when they saw our men approaching, they swiftly seized flight, their children disregarded by the father, and conversely; and this not because any loss or injury had been inflicted on any of them. Nay rather, to whomever I made landfall and with whom I was able to exchange a word, whatever I had I lavished: cloth and very many other things, with no return made to me.
They display the greatest love toward all. They also give great things for small ones, content with the least thing, or even with nothing. I, however, forbade that things so very small and of no price be given to these people, such as fragments of dishes, platters, and glass, likewise nails and little spoons; although, if they could obtain this, it seemed to them that they possessed the most beautiful jewels of the world.
For it happened that a certain sailor had received such a weight of gold for one ligula (small spoon) as amounts to three gold solidi, and so others likewise for other things of lesser price, especially for new blanks [and certain gold coins]. For obtaining these they would give whatever the seller asked—namely an ounce and a half and two ounces of gold, or thirty and forty pounds of cotton, which they had already spun. Likewise they were buying, with cotton and gold, fragments of bows, amphorae, hydriae, and casks, like beasts. Since this was clearly inequitable, I forbade it and gave to them many fair and pleasing things which I had brought with me, with no price intervening, so that I might more easily conciliate them and they might become Christ-worshippers, and that they may be inclined in love toward the King, the Queen, and our princes, and all the peoples of Spain, and strive to seek out and heap up and hand over to us those things with which they themselves abound and we are in great need.
Nullam hii norunt ydolatriam. Immo firmissime credunt omnem vim, omnem potentiam, omnia denique bona esse in cœlo, meque inde cum his navibus et nautis descendisse: atque hoc animo ubi<que> fui susceptus, postquam metum repulerant. Nec sunt segnes aut rudes, quin summi ac perspicacis ingenii et homines, qui transfretant mare illud.
These men know no idolatry. Nay rather, they most firmly believe that all force, all power, and, in fine, all goods are in heaven, and that I descended from there with these ships and sailors; and with this disposition I was received every<where>, after they had repelled fear. Nor are they slothful or rude, but of the highest and perspicacious ingenium, and men who cross that sea.
Not without admiration do they render an account of the reason of each thing, but they have never seen clothed peoples nor ships of this kind. I, as soon as I reached that se[f. 33r]a, from the first island forcibly seized Indians, that they might learn thoroughly from us; and that we likewise might be taught those things of which they themselves had knowledge in these parts. And it succeeded according to wish.
For in a short time both we understood them and they us, both by gesture and signs and by words, and they were of great emolument to us. They come with me even now, however; for they always suppose that I leaped down from heaven, although they have long consorted with us and even today consort with us. And these were the first who would announce it—whatever we named—others in turn to others, proclaiming with elevated voice.
´Come, come, and you will see ethereal peoples!ª Wherefore both women and men, both prepubescents and adults, both youths and elders, the fear a little before conceived laid aside, were eagerly visiting us [a great crowd thronging the road], some bringing food, others drink, with the greatest love and incredible benevolence.
Habet unaqueque insula multas scaphas solidi ligni, etsi angustas, longitudine tamen ac forma nostris biremibus similes, cursu autem velociores. Reguntur remis tantummodo. Harum quedam sunt magnæ, quedam parve, quedam in medio consistunt, plures tamen biremi, que remigetur duodeviginti transtris, maiores.
Each island has many skiffs of solid wood, though narrow, yet in length and form similar to our biremes, but in speed swifter. They are governed by oars only. Of these some are great, some small, some are intermediate; more, however, are biremes, the larger ones, which are rowed with eighteen thwarts.
In omnibus his insulis nulla est diversitas inter gentis effigies, nulla in [f. 33v] moribus atque loquela. Quin omnes se intelligunt adinvicem. Quæ res perutilis est ad id, quod serenissimum Regem nostrum exoptare precipue reor, scilicet eorum ad sanctam Christi fidem conversionem.
In all these islands there is no diversity among the people’s appearance, none in [f. 33v] customs and speech. Indeed they all understand one another mutually. Which thing is very useful for that which I suppose our most serene King especially desires, namely their conversion to the holy faith of Christ.
miles: in that part which looks out toward the west, two provinces (which I did not see) remain, of which the Indians call one Avan. The inhabitants of it are born tailed. They are extended in length to 180 miles, as I learned from those Indians whom I carry with me, who are skilled in all these islands.
Hispane vero ambitus maior est tota Hispania a Cologna usque ad Fontem Rabidum; hincque facile arguitur quod quartum eius latus, quod ipse per rectam lineam occidentis in orientem traieci, miliaria continet .dlxllll. Hæc insula est affectanda, et affectata non spernenda. In qua—etsi aliarum omnium, ut dixi, pro invictissimo Rege nostro solemniter possessionem accepi, earumque imperiun dicto Regi penitus committitur—in oportuniori tamen loco atque omni lucro et commertio condecenti cuiusdam magne ville, cui Nativitatis domini nomen dedimus, possessionem peculiariter accepi, ibique arcem quandam erigere extemplo iussi, que modo iam debet esse peracta.
But the circuit of Hispaniola is greater than all Spain from Cologne as far as Fontem Rabidum; and hence it is easily inferred that its fourth side, which I myself traversed along a straight line from west to east, contains 760 miles. This island is to be sought after, and, once sought, not to be spurned. In it—although of all the others, as I said, I solemnly took possession on behalf of our most invincible King, and their dominion is wholly committed to the said King—yet in a more opportune place and suited to every profit and commerce I particularly took possession of a certain great town, to which we gave the name of the Nativity of the Lord, and there I straightway ordered a certain fortress to be erected, which by now ought already to have been completed.
In which I left the men who seemed necessary, with every kind of arms and with suitable victuals for beyond a year; likewise a certain caravel, and, for constructing others, experts both in this art and in the rest, and the incredible benevolence and familiarity of the king of the same island toward us. For those peoples are very ama[f. 34v]ble and kindly, for the reason that the aforesaid King gloried to have me called his brother. And even if they should recover their spirit and wish to harm those who remained in the fortress, they cannot, because they lack arms, go naked, and are exceedingly timid.
Itaque monstra aliqua non vidi neque eorum alicubi habui cognitionem excepta quadam insula Charis nuncupata, quæ secunda ex Hispana in Indiam transfretantibus existit. Quam gens quedam a finitimis habita ferocior incolit. Hi carne [f. 35r] humana vescuntur.
And so I did not see any monsters, nor did I have cognizance of them anywhere, except for a certain island called Charis, which is encountered as the second by those crossing from Spain into India. A certain people, held by their neighbors to be more ferocious, inhabits it. They feed on flesh [f. 35r] human.
The aforesaid have very many kinds of biremes, with which they cross over to all the Indian islands, depredate, and surreptitiously snatch whatever they can. They differ in nothing from others, except that they wear long hair in the feminine manner. They use bows and reed darts, fixed (as we said) to spear-shafts thinned at the thicker part; and for that reason they are held to be ferocious.
Denique, ut nostri discessus et celeris reversionis compendium ac emolumentum brevibus astringam, hoc polliceor: me nostris Regibus invictissimis parvo eorum fultum auxilio tantum auri daturum, quantun eis fuerit opus, tantum vero aromatum, bombicis, masticis (que apud Chium duntaxat invenitur) tantumque ligni aloes, tantum servorum ydolatrarum, quantum eorum Maiestas voluerit exigere, item reubarbarum et alia aromatun genera, quæ hii, quos in di[f. 35v]cta arce reliqui, iam invenisse: atque inventuros existimo, quandoquidem ego nullibi magis sum moratus, nisi quantum me cœgerunt venti, præterquam in villa Nativitatis, dum arcem condere et tuta omnia esse providi. Quæ etsi maxima et inaudita sunt, multo tamen maiora forent, si naves mihi, ut ratio exigit, subvenissent.
Finally, that I may compress in brief the compendium and emolument of our departure and speedy return, I promise this: that I, supported by their small aid, will give to our most unconquered Kings as much gold as they have need of, and indeed as much of aromatics, cotton, mastics (which is found only at Chios), and as much aloes-wood, as many idolatrous slaves, as Their Majesty will wish to exact; likewise rhubarb and other kinds of aromatics, which those whom I left in the di[f. 35v] said citadel I think already to have found—and to be about to find—since I lingered nowhere more than the winds compelled me, except in the Village of the Nativity, while I was founding a fortress and providing that all be safe. Which things, although very great and unheard-of, yet would have been much greater, if ships had come to my aid, as reason demands.
Verum multum ac mirabile hoc nec nostris meritis correspondens, sed sancte Christiane fidei nostrorumque Regum pietati ac religioni, quia, quod humanus consequi non poterat intellectus, id humanis concessit divinus. Solet enim deus servos suos, quique sua præcepta diligunt etiam in impossibilibus exaudire, ut nobis in præsentia contigit, qui ea consecuti sumus, que hactenus mortalium vires minime attigerant. Nam si harum insularum quicpiam aliqui scripserunt aut locuti sunt, omnes per ambages et coniecturas, nemo se eas vidisse asserit, unde prope videbatur fabula.
But this, great and marvelous, does not correspond to our merits, but to the holy Christian faith and to the piety and religion of our Kings; because what the human intellect could not attain, the Divine granted to human beings. For God is wont to hearken—even in impossibilities—to his servants and to those who love his precepts, as has happened to us in the present case, we who have obtained those things which hitherto the powers of mortals had in no way reached. For if some have written anything or spoken about these islands, all did so through ambages and conjectures; no one asserts that he has seen them, whence it seemed almost a fable.
Therefore let the King and the Queen, the princes and their most fortunate realms: and all the other provinces of the Christians, give thanks to the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has endowed us with so great a victory and boon. Let processions be celebrated, let the sacred solemnities be performed [and let the shrines be wreathed with foliage for the feasts]. Let Christ exult on earth, just as he exults in heaven, since he foresees that the souls, heretofore lost, of so many peoples are to be saved. Let us also rejoice, both on account of the exaltation of our faith, and on account of the increase of temporal things, of which not only Spain, but the whole Christia[f. 36r]ndom will be a participant.
auctura est titulos, Bethice magne, tuos.
Unde repertori merito referenda Columbo
gratia, sed summo est maior habenda Deo,
qui vincenda parat nova regna tibique sibique
teque simul fortem præstat et esse pium.]
Now far, a region detected beneath the Eastern waves,
will be augmenting your titles, great Baetica.
Whence gratitude, deservedly, ought to be rendered to the discoverer Columbus,
but greater thanks must be held for the Most High God,
who prepares new realms to be conquered both for you and for Himself,
and at the same time makes you to be brave and pious.]
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