The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-23

Thomas, supposed to be what at present
is called the Bay of Acul. It was sur
rounded by u beautiful and we'll peopled
country. The inhabitants came off, some
in canoes, some swimming. bringing
fruits of various unknown kinds, of great
fragance and favor These they gave
freely with whatever else they possessed,
especially their golden ornaments, which
they saw were particularly coveted by
the strangers. There was a remarkable
frankness and generosity about these
people; they had no idea of traffic, but
gave away every thing with spontaneous
iberality. Columbus would not permit
his people, however, to take advantage
of this free disposition, but ordered that
something should always be given in ex-
change. Several Of the neighboring ca
ciques visited the ships, bringing pres
ents and inviting the Spaniards to their
villages, where, on going to land, they
were most Hospitality entertained.
On the 22d of December, large canoe
filed with natives came on mission
from grand cacique named Guacana-
gari, who commanded all that part of
the island. A principal servant of the
chieftain came in the canoe, bringing
the admiral present of broad belt,
wrought ingeniously with colored beads
and bones, and wooden mask, the eyes,
nose and tongue of which were of gold.
He delivered also message from the
cacique, begging that the ships might
come opposite to his residence, which
was on part Of the coast little further
to the eastward. The wind preventing
an immediate compliance with this in.
vitation the admiral sent the notary Of
the squadron, with several Of the crew,
to visit the cacique. He resided in a
town. situated on a river, at what they
called Punta Santa, at present Grande
Riviere. It was the largest and best
built town they had yet seen. The cacique
received them in q kind of public square,
which had been swept and prepared for
the occasion, and treated them with
great honor, giving to each dress Of
cotton. The inhabitants crowded around
them, bringing provisions and refresh
ments of various kinds. The seamen
were received into their houses as distin-
guished guests; they gave them gar
ments of cotton and whatever else ap-
peared to have value in their eyes, ask
ing nothing in return, but if anything
were given appearing to treasure it up
as sacred relic.
The cacique would have detained them
all night, but their orders obliged them
to return. On parting with them, he
gave them presents of parrots and pieces
of gold for the admiral, and they were
attended to their boats by crowd of
the natives, carrying the presents for
them, and vying with each other in rem
dering them service.
During their absence, the admiral had
been visited by great number of canoes
and several inferior caciques; all as
sured him that the island abounded with
wealth. they talked especially of Cibao.
q region in the interior, farther to the
east, the cacique of which, as far as they
could be understood, had banners Of
wrought gold. Columbus, deceiving
himself as usual. fancied that this name
GbRo must be a corruption of Cipango,
and that this ch;eftain with golden ban
ners must be identical with the magnifi-
cent prince OF that island mentioned by
Marco Polo,