NEB Grade XI Optional English Note | Essay | Lesson 1 | Letter of Christopher Columbus: On His First Voyage to America, 1492 | Christopher Columbus

Letter of Christopher Columbus: On His First Voyage to America, 1492

Christopher Columbus was born in Italy and served the Spanish King Ferdinand II in his career as a navigator. Although many groups like Vikings had already been to the Americas much earlier, Columbus has been called the discoverer of the New World. His four trans-Atlantic Voyages were sponsored by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I from the throne of Castile (Spain). He was the master of navigator and admiral in these voyages. Columbus wrote letters and diaries in his voyages of the New World and sent them to Spain. It was Columbus who prepared the ground for European colonization of the Americas.

Summary

‘Columbus’s Letter’ is one of the early writings in which he describes new people in the New World. The letter shows how mesmerized he was because of the unpolluted and unmediated environment of the newly discovered island.

The main purpose of this letter is to provide information of his discoveries in the New World. The voyage is considered to be a great success and Columbus records that he has found many islands with a significant population. More importantly, he aims to show that he has taken possession of these new lands for his King. This is shown by the sequential renaming of various islands. He wants to reassure all that the lands are fertile and rich with gold.

In his letter, Columbus tries to present the islands of the Indies as suitable for future colonization. His descriptions of the natural habitat emphasize the rivers, woodlands, pastures, and fields that are very suitable for planting and cultivating, for raising all sorts of livestock herds, and setting up towns and farms. He proclaims that in Hispaniola, there exist many spices, and mines of gold, and other metals.

Columbus describes the native people of the islands as primitive, innocent, and unthreatening. He describes how they go about largely naked, that they lack metal weapons, and are fearful and timid. He claims that he and his team show nothing but generosity to the natives. He goes on to prohibit his men from dealing unfairly with the natives.

Columbus makes a particular note that the natives lack organized religion. He claims the native people believe he and his people have come down from heaven. He notes that the natives of different islands seem to speak the same language and are not slow or unskilled, but of excellent and acute understanding. He also notes that the women appear to work more than the men.

Columbus reveals that natives told him about the possible existence of cannibals, which he refers to as monsters. They are reported to be long-haired, very ferocious, and eat human flesh. But he has not seen them himself. In his letter, he mentions that he is grateful to the king and queen for their support. His victory could help not only Spain but also all Christian nations gain benefits.