Christopher Columbus

“Stood off and on during the night, determining not to come to anchor till morning, fearing to meet with shoals; continued our course in the morning; and as the island was found to be six or...”

“I ordered each man to be presented with something, as strings of ten or a dozen glass beads apiece, and thongs of leather, all which they estimated highly; those which came on board I direct...”

“I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highness...”

“The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.”

“These people are very unskilled in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished.”

“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”

“As soon as I arrived in the Indies, in the first island which I found, I took some of the natives by force, in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is...”

“I believe that there are many herbs and many trees that are worth much in Europe for dyes and for medicines; but I do not know, and this causes me great sorrow. Arriving at this cape, I foun...”

“After having dispatched a meal, I went ashore, and found no habitation save a single house, and that without an occupant; we had no doubt that the people had fled in terror at our approach,...”

“There are trees of a thousand sorts, and all have their several fruits; and I feel the most unhappy man in the world not to know them, for I am well assured that they are all valuable. I bri...”

“I propose to construct a new chart for navigating, on which I shall delineate all the sea and lands of the Ocean in their proper positions under their bearings; and further, I propose to pre...”

“I saw a boy of the crew purchasing javelins of them with bits of platters and broken glass.”

“Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier.”

“Their houses are all built in the shape of tents, with very high chimneys.”

“But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them.”

“I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpo...”

“I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.”

“Sailed this day nineteen leagues, and determined to count less than the true number, that the crew might not be dismayed if the voyage should prove long.”

“The Indians on board said that thence to Cuba was a voyage in their canoes of a day and a half; these being small dug-outs without a sail. Such are their canoes. I departed thence for Cuba,...”

“Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.”