Select letters of Christopher Columbus

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

77820

Title

Select letters of Christopher Columbus

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection presents Christopher Columbus's original letters detailing his voyages to the New World. Written to the Spanish monarchs, these documents chronicle the discovery of islands, descriptions of indigenous peoples, and the promise of immense wealth. The text offers a primary historical account of the early exploration of the Americas, blending geographical observation with the fervent religious and imperial ambitions of the era.

Summary up to 500 words

In this compilation of original documents, Christopher Columbus addresses the King and Queen of Spain regarding his voyages, serving as both a report to the crown and a plea for continued support against detractors. The first letter details his arrival in the Indies after thirty-three days, naming islands like San Salvador and Española. He describes the inhabitants as intelligent, timid, and naked, noting their lack of iron or steel but their possession of gold and spices. Columbus praises the island's beauty, climate, and resources, asserting that the land is larger than England and Scotland combined. He defends his enterprise against critics who question the lack of immediate gold shipments, arguing that the spiritual gain of converting souls and the future wealth justify the expense. The text also includes a Spanish account of his third voyage, where he discovers the mainland (Terra Firma) and expands the known territory. Throughout, Columbus emphasizes the divine nature of his mission, the superiority of the Spanish crown, and the potential for Spain to become a global power through these new lands. He describes the lush vegetation, singing birds, and abundant resources of Española, claiming it is a terrestrial paradise. He notes the natives' willingness to trade freely and their belief that he arrived from heaven. Despite accusations of failure due to a lack of immediate gold, Columbus argues that the spiritual benefits and the vast potential for wealth make the enterprise noble and necessary for the glory of Spain and the spread of the Christian faith.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77820.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg77820.epub

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2026-07-08 05:46 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• History