As the Santa María and Niña continued east along the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast, word traveled among the locals that it was safe to meet the pale beings. On December 16, likely near modern Port-de-Paix, more than five hundred Taínos gathered at a beach to behold and trade with Columbus, who indicated that he was interested in gold. The crowds would grow even larger over the next two weeks, and Columbus would increasingly rely on the Guanahanían captives to serve as interpreters.
That night, Columbus reflected on Haiti’s future subjugation. He wrote in the Journal that the inhabitants were gentle and without religious sect and that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand would readily make them subjects—as he already considered them—and Christians. He explained he could march over the entire island because its peoples had no skill with arms and were so cowardly that a thousand would flee from three Castilians. He concluded that the inhabitants were fit to be ordered about and made to work, plant, build towns, and everything else required, as well as to be taught Castilian custom and to wear clothes.