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Andrew’s Current Blog

Archived blogs chronicling 1492 from a bicultural perspective appear under 1492 Blogs.

Andrew’s Current Blog

Archived blogs chronicling 1492 from a bicultural perspective appear under 1492 Blogs.

 

Chief Caonabó’s Death

Historians have disagreed when and where Chief Caonabó died at sea, with the primary sources noted below conflicted and unclear. Bartolomé de Las Casas believed he drowned right in the harbor at Isabela during a storm that sank the caravel in which he was chained...

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Return to Guadeloupe

The Niña and India were overloaded with Spanish passengers and Taíno slaves (as well as Chief Caonabó), and Columbus imposed tight rations from the moment they departed Isabela for Spain (see prior post). He set the caravels’ initial course toward islands he’d visited...

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Columbus and Caonabó Depart for Spain

As depicted in Columbus and Caonabó, on March 10, 1496 (528 years ago), Chief Caonabó was unshackled from the ground in Columbus’s fortified residence at Isabela and escorted north through the settlement to its beach and pier, where he was hauled to sail with Columbus...

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Enslaved Taíno Guides and Interpreters

As related in my books and posts, Columbus enslaved Taínos and other indigenous peoples to serve as guides and interpreters as he explored about the Caribbean and subjugated “Española.” The most well-known of these boys and young men was the Taíno youth seized on...

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Decision to Abandon Isabela

In early 1496 (528 years ago), Columbus prepared to return to Spain in the Niña and India to defend himself from the investigator Juan Aguado’s criticisms, as well as haul Chief Caonabó to submit in person to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Columbus had decided to...

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Fray Ramón Pané and Chief Guarionex

In March 1495, Columbus had relocated Fray Ramón Pané from Fort Magdalena to Fort Concepción to instruct Chief Guarionex in Christianity, hoping Guarionex’s conversion would serve as an example to “Indians” throughout “Española.” Guarionex was renowned for his...

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