"They are very simple, and honest, and exceedingly liberal with all they have; they give it with such a good will, that one would believe that they are giving their hearts. And they are all of good sta…"

"I should believe that they would easily be made Christians, because they have no religion."

"Gold is a wonderful thing! And whoever possesses it can do what he will in this world, and can even help souls to Paradise."

"These people are very unskilled in arms... with fifty men they could all be subjugated and compelled to do anything one wishes."

"I prayed to the most merciful Lord about my heart's great desire, and He gave me the spirit and the intelligence for the task: seafaring, astronomy, geometry, arithmetic, skill in drafting spherical m…"