Christopher Columbus — "I believe that in these lands there are many things which are not known, and whi…"

"They are so simple, that they believe that all the world and all the people are in heaven, and that they come from there, and that they are the first that ever came from there, and that they are the f…"

"I found the people of this island and all the other islands to be very naked, as I have said, men and women, just as their mothers bore them, but they know not what it is to be shameful, nor to cover …"

"Gold is most excellent; gold constitutes treasure; and he who has it may do what he will in the world."

"I saw no great trees, but many groves of palms, all very green and fair; and the whole island was so green that it was a joy to behold. And I saw no mountains, but some hills and rocks, and all the re…"

"I have taken possession of all these islands for their Highnesses."