Christopher Columbus's Letter to the Sovereigns (March 4, 1493)

The "Letter to the Sovereigns" of 4 March 1493: Announcing the Discovery

Introduction to the Letter's Significance

Christopher Columbus's "Letter to the Sovereigns," dated March 4, 1493, offers a contrasting perspective to the romanticized public image of the Discovery. Unlike the heroic, one-dimensional figure often portrayed, this letter reveals a more accessible, yet less mythical, Columbus. It unequivocally presents the Discovery as a joint commercial venture driven by Columbus's personal worldly and spiritual ambitions, and the state, contractually bound to compensate him, standing to benefit from his efforts. This challenges conventional portrayations of both Columbus and the Discovery, inviting readers to recognize a complex legacy.

Columbus's Journey and Initial Discoveries

Columbus addresses "Most Christian and lofty and Powerful sovereigns," crediting "eternal God" for their greatest victory to date. He reports his return from the Indies with the armada provided by the Highnesses. The voyage across the Atlantic took 33 days, with 14 of those days experiencing light winds, significantly impeding progress. Upon arrival, he found "innumerable people and very many islands." He took possession of these lands in the Sovereigns' name, utilizing a royal crier and unfurling the royal banner, reportedly without contradiction or resistance.

Named Islands and Early Exploration:

Columbus named the first island San Salvador (in memory of Jesus Christ), followed by Santa Maria de la Concepcion, Fernandina, Isabela, and Juana. Other islands received "almost a new name"—a phrase suggesting either a constant renaming or, as noted by an editor, potentially a transcription error, implying "and likewise a new name."

Upon reaching Juana, Columbus followed its coast westward, finding it so expansive that he initially believed it to be a mainland, possibly the province of Cathay (an allusion to Marco Polo's accounts and papal embassies to the Far East). However, he could not verify this as the native people fled upon his arrival, preventing communication. Lacking a notable settlement, he continued along the coast, hoping to find a town or great city as described by overland travelers to Cathay. He eventually realized he was veering north instead of west, encountering winds from that direction. As winter approached, his primary goal became avoiding the south wind, leading him to turn back. By this time, he had begun to understand some of the "speech and signs" of certain Indians taken from San Salvador, who confirmed Juana was indeed an island.

He then discovered a good harbor on Juana, from which he dispatched two men inland for a three-day journey, accompanied by a friendly Indian, to scout for cities, large settlements, and determine the nature of the land. They found many settlements and numerous people but no significant government. After their return, Columbus departed, taking more Indians at the harbor to gather information about the lands.

Journey to Espanola:

Columbus proceeded along the coast of Juana (Cuba) eastward for 107 leagues until its end. Before departing, he sighted another island 18 leagues to the east, which he later named Espanola. He then sailed to Espanola, following its north coast eastward for 188 "very long leagues." In every harbor, he erected "a very large cross in the most appropriate spot," a practice he maintained across all discovered islands.

He continued exploration until January 16, when he decided to return to Spain. This decision was based on having largely achieved his objectives and having only one caravel remaining. The nao (the larger ship, Santa Maria) had been left at La Navidad, a village established for the men fortifying it. Another caravel had been taken by Martin Alonso Pinzon, who disregarded Columbus's orders and selfishly sought riches from an island reported by an Indian.

Description of Discovered Lands and Peoples

Fertility, Climate, and Natural Resources:

Beyond the aforementioned islands, Columbus reports discovering many others in the Indies, equally (or even more) fertile. He claims their beauty and abundance would seem unbelievable if fully described. The breezes are "most temperate," and the trees, fruits, and grasses are "extremely beautiful and very different from ours." The rivers and harbors are abundant and "of such extreme excellence when compared to those of Christian lands that it is a marvel." He notes constant mild weather, evidenced by "grass and trees growing into the sea," indicating an absence of stormy conditions, making it suitable for all types of ships, though small caravels are better for close-to-land exploration due to shallow draft and oar assistance.

The Indigenous Peoples:

All the islands are "densely populated with the best people under the sun," described as having "neither ill-will nor treachery." Both women and men go about naked, though some women use a small piece of cotton or grass to cover themselves. They possess neither iron nor weapons, using only canes with sharp sticks. Everything they make is done with stone tools. Columbus observed that they have no private property, noting that during his stay with a king in La Navidad, people, especially women, would bring agis (hot red pepper, their staple food), which the king would then distribute—a "singular sustenance." The king in question was likely Guacanagari, who befriended Columbus and assisted after the Santa Maria ran aground.

Columbus found no evidence of religion, idolatry, or significant linguistic diversity among the inhabitants; they largely understood each other. They believed that all powers resided in heaven and, generally, in all lands he visited, they believed he, his ships, and his people came from heaven, greeting them with veneration. This belief persisted despite contact with the Spaniards at La Navidad. Upon arrival at settlements, men, women, and children would call out, "Come, come and see the people from heaven!" They were eager to trade anything they possessed for trifles, even broken glass or pottery, exchanging these for gold. One sailor obtained more than 2.5 castellanos in gold for leather latchet ends, with "ten thousand like occurrences to tell."

Geographical Features of Key Islands:

Most islands are "very flat and low-lying," but Juana and Espanola are exceptions, featuring "very high lands" with mountain chains and peaks much taller than those of Tenerife. These mountains are diverse, beautiful, fertile, walkable, and covered in trees, seemingly touching the sky. Both islands are very large; Juana has many rivers, great mountains, large valleys, meadows, and fields, full of trees and "huge palms of a thousand varieties." Espanola is considered superior in every aspect, with fruitful and broad trees, delectable lands suitable for sowing, planting, and raising livestock (though Columbus saw none). It boasts wonderfully temperate breezes, meadows, and fields incomparable to Castile's, and rivers with "great and good waters," most of which are "gold-bearing." It also has numerous and excellent sea harbors.

Reasons for Not Lingering:

Columbus explains that he did not linger on these islands due to winter navigation conditions (being on their north side with prevailing easterly winds contrary to further southward travel) and language barriers. He remedied the latter by taking Indians with him to learn their language and teach them Spanish, anticipating better communication for the next voyage. He also notes the large and heavy ships he brought, especially the nao, were ill-suited for exploration, and he would have preferred small caravels. His decision to take larger vessels was influenced by the fears and opposition of those accompanying him on this first voyage, who attributed "a thousand dangers" to the route. He deferred to their wishes to ensure the voyage would finally commence and land be found.

Economic Potential and Resources

Columbus expresses immense faith in God that he and the Sovereigns will find gold, mines, spicery, and innumerable peoples. In Espanola, he left the crew from the nao and some from the caravels, supplied for over a year, with much artillery and with the friendship of the local king, who considered Columbus a brother. He believes these men are sufficient to subjugate the entire island without danger. He hopes His Majesty will grant the Sovereigns as much gold as needed, and enough spices (a type of pepper) to fill as many ships as they desire. He also promises mastic (valued at over 45,000 ducats annually by the Chios government), lignum aloe, and cotton, all available in quantities to fill countless ships. Furthermore, he intends to provide "innumerable slaves" from the idolaters. He also believes rhubarb and cinnamon are present. Columbus expects the men left behind to discover "a thousand other things of importance" upon his return, having left them a boat, equipment, tools for boat-making (fustas – small Moorish/Turkish vessels), and master nautical artisans. He considers all discovered islands, especially Espanola, to belong to the Sovereigns, to be commanded "even more completely" than the kingdoms of Castile.

Columbus's Future Plans, Demands, and Justifications

Crusade of Jerusalem:

Columbus declares that through divine grace, he will be able to pay the Sovereigns for substantial military forces: 5,000 cavalry and 50,000 foot soldiers within 7 years for the "war and conquest of Jerusalem," for which purpose, he states, "this enterprise was undertaken." In another five years, he promises an additional 5,000 cavalry and 50,000 foot soldiers, totaling 10,000 cavalry and 100,000 foot soldiers, all with minimal initial investment from the Sovereigns. He asserts certainty in this claim and urges no delay, lamenting past delays (attributed to unspecified causes).

Call for Celebration and Personal Appeals:

Columbus urges all Christendom, especially God's Church, to celebrate intensely "for the finding of such a multitude of such friendly peoples," who with "very little effort will be converted to our Holy Faith." He highlights the immense lands filled with "goods very necessary to us," providing comfort and profits to all Christians, all previously unknown or relegated to fables. He requests that the Holy Trinity be praised in their kingdoms for the unparalleled love shown to the Sovereigns.

He reminds the Sovereigns of his personal sacrifice, leaving his family and homeland, spending his assets, enduring seven years of "a thousand indignities and disgrace," and suffering much hardship. He claims to have refused solicitations from other princes. While acknowledging the Sovereigns' protection of his voyage, he asserts it was more due to his persistent importuning. He laments that "no favor has been shown to me, but moreover nothing of what was promised me has been fulfilled." Professing no desire for personal treasure beyond serving God and the Sovereigns and perfecting the Indies enterprise, he beseeches them to honor him according to the quality of his service.

Ecclesiastical and Political Appeals:

Columbus also calls upon the Church of God to work for the enterprise, providing "prelates and devout and wise religious." Given the magnitude of the matter, he suggests the Holy Father should provide prelates devoid of greed for temporal possessions and dedicated to God and the Sovereigns. He explicitly asks the Sovereigns to request a Cardinalate for his son in their victory letter to the Church, despite his son's young age, citing the precedent of the Medici son in Florence who received a cardinal's hat without similar service or honorable purpose to Christianity. He further requests the letter for his own solicitation of this honor.

Recommendation for Villacorta:

Recognizing that "the sin of ungratefulness was the first one to be punished," Columbus asks the Sovereigns for a favor for Pedro de Villacorta, a crew member and favorite, without whom the enterprise might not have succeeded due to Columbus's own illness and widespread fatigue. He vouches for Villacorta as a reliable choice for the position of "paymaster of the Indies."

Further Geographical and Ethnographical Claims (Potentially Fanciful):

Columbus describes Matenino, the first island closest to Spain, as populated entirely by women who use weapons and display masculine traits. They carry bows and arrows and adornments from their abundant copper mines. The second island, Caribo (Caribs), is feared by other islanders; its inhabitants are anthropophagous ("eat human flesh"), expert bowmen, and travel extensively in large canoes. They are naked but wear thick hair. Columbus speculates the fear among other islanders makes the Caribs seem brave, but he holds them in the same regard as the rest. He plans to send "these" (Caribs) as slaves, noting their interactions with the women of Matenino: female children are kept; male children are raised until old enough for sustenance, then sent to Caribo. Between Caribo and Espanola lies Borinque (later San Juan de Puerto Rico), located near a region of Juana (Cuba) called Faba, where everyone is purportedly born with a tail. Beyond Juana, still in sight, is Jamaica, said to be larger than Juana, inhabited by bald people, and containing "immeasurable quantities" of gold. Columbus claims to have Indians with him who have visited these islands, know the languages, and customs. He concludes by wishing the Holy Trinity to guard and prosper the Sovereigns' royal estate in its service. The letter was written "in the Sea of Spain" on March 4, 1493 (though historical notes place him off Portugal, near Lisbon, on this date).