by Andrew Rowen | | Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti
The Guanahanían captives understood that Cuba was an island and told Columbus so. But, since early November, Columbus had believed Cuba was part of the Indies’ mainland. On December 5, the Santa María and Niña passed Cuba’s eastern tip, modern Punta de Maisí, sailing...
by Andrew Rowen | | Spain
Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand had taken their court to Barcelona for the winter. They regularly held audiences to hear grievances and resolve criminal and civil cases of their common subjects and, at noon, Ferdinand finished an audience at the Casa de Deputacion....
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
On December 7, the Santa María and Niña began sailing east along the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast. In his Journal, Columbus compared Haiti’s farmlands, mountains, valleys, weather, fish, plants, and birds to those of Castile. Columbus concluded Haiti was suited to...
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
As Columbus continued along Haiti’s northern coast, local Taínos fled from encounters, precluding his trading for gold or locating its source. Frustrated, Columbus ordered sailors ashore to capture an inhabitant to whom he could confer courtesies and gifts to...
