Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-06-25
CoIumbus's First Letter.

r, a late number Of the North British
review is an interesting article on European
Navigation in early times" Speaking OF the
,.tter and announcing to the world the discovery
4 Columbus, the Reviewer says:
..on the arrival of the first letter in Spain it
rss speedily published and issued from the
rr;ne;oal towns of Europe. In Italy, the letter
,rss even versifed and sung about the streets.
T. England Sebastian Cabot tells us there was
srest talk Of the new discovery in all the court
ssfHenry Seventh. '.nsomuch that all men with
sreat admiration affirmed it to be thing more
siyine than human" to s.sail by the west into the
esst where the specie do grow, way that was
never known before.
It was supposed Of course, that India had been
,eaehed by making the circuit of the world
xheuce the name Of West Indies was given to the
rev islands
After short introduction. Columbus gives in
his letter, rapid sketch of his route, naming
tbe several islands upon which he landed and OF
which he easily took possession in the name OF
his soyerigas. These were North Caico, Little
Iuaeua. Great lnagua, Cuba, and others of#less
note. and lastly st. Domingo. OF these islands.
he gives most enticing description, speaking Of
hirh towering trees, tllrongs Of nightingales,
and beautiful birds, rich pastures, honey, new
and delicious fruits, valuable harbors and album
dance of fresh water. OF the inhabitants he
SAYS ''They go always naked as they were
born, with the exception of some OF the women,
who use the covering of a leaf or small Bough,
or an apron Of cotton, which they prepare for
that purpose; they are timid and full of fear;
when have sent one or two Of my men to any
OF the villages to speak with the natives, they
have come ont in disorderly troup, and have
fed in such haste at the approach of my men
that fathers have fors:tkcn their children and
children theirs fathers.
"As soon, .howeyer as they see that theysa
safe. and have laid aside all fear, they are very
simple and honest and exceedingly liberal with
all they have, none Of them refusing ally thing
be may possess when he is asked for it; but. on
the contrary. inviting us to ask them. They
exhibit great love for all others in preference to
themselves. The Indians practiced no idelatry,
and believing all good things in heaven they in
ferred Columbus ships had descended. Thus
The Spaniards, we're every where introduced as
acelestal beings and '.men, women, children
and adults, young men and old hocked to them,
some bringing food others drink, with astonishing
affection and Kindness" NJ
Columbus describes Cuba assbeing larger than
Great Britain, and affirms that in distant pro
vince which he did not visit, the men are born
with tails Moreover he was told Of an~island
whose inhabitants had no hair and which abound
ed in gold more than any of the rest.
This memorable letter closes with the follow
ine sublime strain:As Therefore let the King
aud Queen our princes and their most happy
kingdoms and all other provinces of christen-
dom, render thanks to our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, who has granted us SO great a
victory and prosperity. Let professions be
made and sacred feasts be held, and the temples
adorned with festive boughs. Let Christ rejoice
on earth, as he reoces in heaven, at the prospect
Of the salvation Of SO many souls of SO many
nations hitherto lost. Let us also rejoice, as
well on account of the oxidation of our faith,
as Of the increase of our temporal prosperity, of
which not only Spain, but all Christendom will
be partakers.o
Thus sublimely was the New World inaugur-
ated