Expeditions of Christopher Columbus
Columbus’s expedition took place between 1493-1496. News of the discovery of new lands and samples brought by Columbus after his first trip west, created a state of general enthusiasm, based on the hope of finding gold more and more.
New fleet consisted of 17 vessels and 1,700 different jobs oamenide. Besides stores, Columbus has charged different varieties of seeds, saplings of fruit trees, grape vines, horses, cattle and pigs. On September 25, 1493, High Admiral flag “Marie Galante” and set sail from the port of Cadiz. Canary Islands headed west to 12 ° further south, in the intention to meet “Caribbean lands that eat people” and “virgin islands”, which is learned that are south of Española. Department was well chosen, making crossing is only 20 days. This route has become the most widely used of ships that went to “West Indies”. The first island intalnitaintr a Sunday was named “Dominica”. The following have called it “Maria Galante”. Here Columbus landed and planted its flag Castilian, solemnly taking possession of the entire archipelago (Lesser Antilles). He then landed on the island named “Guadalupe” is amazed at the seen. Alvares Diego Chanca, physician celeo second expedition, writes: “In case I found a lot of bones and skulls menesti, hung like ships … because on the three islands live caraibii (cannibals), they were out in raid islands inhabited by Indians arawak peaceful … where many women can get … especially the young and beautiful … The men killed on the spot and I eat them prisoners go and eat them in their villages “. Columbus has released some captives, whom he then took as guides, and left these lands macabre.
On November 15 Spaniards saw a mountainous land consisting of about 40 islands on which Columbus named them “The Virgin Islands” (Virgin Islands). The next day they discovered a large island with magnificent forests and great gulfs that have named the “San Juan Batista” (St. John the Baptist), Puerto Rico today.
They reached Fort Navidad on November 27, evening. Everything was dead. They fired two cannon shots, no answer, no light. Morning they found that everything was destroyed
Columbus decided to build a new city, in unloc better device near MonteCristi, within walking distance of Cibao “land of gold”. On December 7, 1493 the city was named “Isabella”. Aloso Hijeda, sent inside to locate the gold river, finds himself a nugget of 9 oz.
On March 12, 1494 Columbus started with a strong detachment of men and horsemen to the Cibao. Inside the gold land erected a fort called “Sf.Tomas” with a garrison of 56 men under the command of Pedro Margarita. Las Casas tells: “fort was situated so close that you could see the gold oghiul free and touch it with your finger.” Columbus who feared that the Portuguese do not take him before his brother left the island command Diego and decided to go west to discover India. After what had driven 335 miles to the west, almost overcome with the idea that the continent and the need to leave him just as able to touch him to appeal to an extraordinary substitute, made a kind of oath by saying that starting in Cuba Sapna going to get to the “down” across Asia. Later due to a big sorrow for Columbus fell sick in bed. 5 months.
Many settlers stood against him, and those sent to Spain accusing the injustice and cruelty, insinuating that it plans to release its obligations to the crown. After several such incidents Columbus returns to Spain. Was well received and this time, but the contract in 1492 remained partially true.
At that time Spain was at war with France. All ships were used for this purpose, and treasure chests were almost empty. Therefore only in 1498 the royal couple was able to help the Columbus to equip a new expedition, the third (1498-1500). Marked that failed to find enough gold in the West Indies, Columbus wrote to old goldsmith learned Jew Jaime Ferrer in Catalonia, asking for advice. He replied: “All these things are valuable to the countries of the south, whose inhabitants are black or brown skin.” Admiral then decided how to choose a route further south, closer to the equator, to find these dark people.
On May 30, 1498, Admiral left the port of San Lucar with six caravels, heading for Madeira. The Canaries, half the fleet left directly to Española while the other ships of Columbus down to the south to the Cape Verde islands.
On July 31, “cried the lookout sailor earth at sunset”. It was a large island that Columbus named it Trinidad.
The following days have found new places: sandy head, Terra Garcia, from Boca Sierpe (Serpent’s Mouth), Bocas del Drago (Dragon’s mouths). On August 5 reach for. First americana.La south coast on August 15 found Margarita or Pearl Island. On 20 august1498 join Bartholomew Columbus Crew.
Columbus was maintained right to collect the annual revenues that detineal properties in different parts of the Atlantic, but he was not allowed to longer causing disturbances in the colony.
