Christian History Home > Issue 35 > When Two Worlds Met
When Two Worlds Met
The historic moment from Columbus's journal
posted 7/01/1992 12:00AM
Columbus’s journal, or Diario, has been lost for centuries. But we have an abridged paraphrase of it by Bartolomé de Las Casas. Here, Las Casas gives our best account of the momentous encounter:
At two hours after midnight the land appeared, from which they were about two leagues distant. They hauled down all the sails … passing time until daylight Friday, when they reached an islet of the Lucayas, which was called Guanahani in the language of the Indians.
Soon they saw naked people; and the Admiral went ashore in the armed launch.… The Admiral brought out the royal banner and the captains two flags with the green cross, which the Admiral carried on all the ships as a standard, with an F and a Y, and over each letter a crown, one on one side of the + and the other on the other.
Thus put ashore they saw very green trees and many ponds and fruits of various kinds. The Admiral … [took] possession of the said island for the king and for the queen his lords.…
Soon many people of the island gathered ... To view this item, you must be a member of ChristianHistory.net.
|
If you ARE a member
of ChristianHistory.net…
Please login:
| |
If you are NOT a member
of ChristianHistory.net…
Please click here to see our membership options. As a member, you will be able to have access to all of the content on ChristianHistory.net.
|
|
Browse More ChristianHistory.net
Home | Browse by Topic | Browse by Period | The Past in the Present | Books & Resources
| |
|
