By Erik Durneika
Contrary to the fact that there were multiple, previous attempts of colonization in Greenland by the Norse Vikings, it can be arguably stated that Christopher Columbus, an “Italian-born” sailor for Castilian Spain, was the pioneer of the permanently rich, American timeline of literature (History.com Staff). In search of a westward route to the rich luxuries of Asia, particularly in India, Columbus set out on a journey in 1492 that was sponsored by the Crown of Castile (“Christopher Columbus – Biography”). Little did Columbus know that he was, as a matter of fact, forging the history and detailed discovery of the “New World,” where the present day North American continent is located; therefore, “The Letter of Columbus to Luis De Sant Angel Announcing His Discovery” is an exemplary European literature- letter that showcases his incidental discovery of the “New Continent” and is, therefore, a piece of literature that indicates the origins of North American literature. Through the aforementioned historical manuscript, “The Letter of Columbus” can be easily identified as colonial in style due to the rich presence of vivid descriptions of his discoveries, the strong sense of Spanish aloofness and patriotism, and the plentiful evidence of a main motive for the specific voyage.
As much as Christopher Columbus was a negotiator and commander, he was also a keen individual who excelled in “capturing” the natural beauty of the uncharted land. “They are most beautiful, of a thousand varied forms, accessible, and full of endless varieties, so high that they seem to touch the sky, and I have been told that they never lose their foliage,” suggests that the landscape of the newly discovered island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean is lushly alive, never ceasing to exist due to the exact and pleasantly tropical climate (Columbus). This previously mentioned statement is a precursor for the “Spanish” vision of the perfect plantation lands in order to make a profit. Additionally, the explorer in “The Letter of Columbus” expresses the vast array of landforms – meadows, mountains, and coastal areas. This multitude of geological landscapes proposes the unimaginable properties of the islands that can be used to facilitate with the successful expansion of the reach of Christendom. As Columbus carries on with explaining his observations to the monarchs of the Castilian Empire, colonial literature can be seen to fulfill one, primary property – to inform the people in the “mother” country of the freshly identified area on the globe. “The seaports there are incredibly fine, as also the magnificent rivers, most of which bear gold,” expresses Columbus’s awe for the serenity of the scenery, but simultaneously, the descriptions including the “magnificent rivers” and “gold” shows the greed and selfishness of the European mentality (Columbus).
Columbus may be implying the future thought of exporting the fine birds, exotic fruits, and varied species of animals for the most prized reward – money. Columbus moves on to explain the fertile land in accordance to the plethora of soils, furthering the colonial Spanish ambitions of a prosperous agricultural market.
Although Columbus may not appear to be “directly” arrogant within the text of his letter, there are some hidden points that suggest his aloof mindset of being a noble from the advanced “Old World.” Columbus’s unsympathetic attitude is revealed when he states, “I have taken possession of all these islands, for their Highness […] as the kingdoms of Castile” (Columbus). It seems as if Columbus is willing to treat the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands as his nation’s property, “moving” the inhabitants as if they were virtually pieces of a chess game. In relation to the people of the “New World,” even though Columbus described them as interesting people, the explorer highly criticizes their ancient tradition of only the chief practicing polygamy 1010 (Columbus). Columbus sees that this phenomenon of polygamy is in conflict with God’s divine command: No adultery shall be committed. At other times within his letter to Luis De Sant Angel, the explorer portrays the women of the islands as “hard working” individuals and the men as “lazy” and exploitive towards their wives. On a second island, this pathfinder also shared his experience of witnessing primitive, “man-eating” humans – cannibals (Columbus). Contrary to the fact that Columbus admires the islands overall, he still exhibits a very European, aristocratic demeanor of wanting to tame the uncivilized and “religion-less” savages of the “New World.” Furthermore, after contemplating upon multiple afterthoughts of the Indians potentially rebelling against his country’s new regime, he even goes to the extent of setting up fortifications on the island and arming military personnel in order to prevent the possible chaos that could occur in the City of Navidad (Columbus). According to the settlers’ view(s), people ought to be content but sterile, obeying the wishes of the divinely appointed monarchs and submitting to the newly formed government in the West.
Lastly, there is a clear set of defined motives for this long journey through the perilous Atlantic Ocean. It can be simply stated that there were three essential motivations that were established by the King and Queen of Castilian Spain – God, gold, and glory. The quote stated by Columbus, “I forbade it, and gave a thousand good and pretty things that I had to win their love, and to induce them to become Christians,” illustrates the ways that the Europeans tried to convince the Indians to fulfill the wishes of Christ and to accept only one, transcendent Lord (Columbus). It can be seen as a bit shady that the Spaniards attempted to change the natives’ outlook on religion through showering them with lavish gifts. Rather than trying to straightforwardly tell the Native Islanders about Christianity’s Biblical stories and beliefs, it can be inferred that the Spanish had used a stealthy psychological tactic; by providing the aboriginal individuals with these gifts, the Europeans might have used the argument that these specific, grand gifts can be and will be plentiful in the Heaven or Paradise of God, where Jesus Christ reigns at the right hand of his Father. There is a perception that stems from the core of the voyage that the Europeans are not wholeheartedly following Christ’s way in order to make disciples of all nations, but instead, by extending the reach of Christendom, the colonizers will have unlimited access to the abundant and natural resources that the island has to offer (e.g. metals, exotic fruit, interesting animals, indigenous crafts, etc.). Correspondingly, as the Spaniards gain more goods to trade, not only will the “civilized” individuals prosper in terms of money (gold), but these beings will also benefit from a world-renowned reward of glory. It can be easily stated that the colonizers had a Hispanic version of the Manifest Destiny in mind. The Crown sought to prove to competing countries (e.g. Portugal, Italy, England, etc.) that Spanish domination was the supreme destiny of the entire Earth. In short, “The Letter of Columbus” can be seen as an exemplary piece of early colonial literature that invokes a sense of origins within the American culture of literary pieces. Even though it seemed as if the colonizing nation’s people were truly astonished by the new islands, there is still a large amount of greed and views of prosperity that counterbalance this preceding thought of pure bewilderment. It can be felt throughout the entire letter that Columbus thought that he had encountered a jewel of the sea, beating the Portuguese and other contemporaries to the treasuries of the East. It is quite intriguing to think that this very chief sailor accidentally facilitated the beginnings of another culture – the North American way of life, and most importantly, the timetable of rich literature. On the contrary, it is a bit dismal to experience first handedly through his letter to Luis De Sant Angel the willingness of Columbus to almost completely eradicate the anciently vivid traditions of the island dwellers in exchange for European-inspired, monotheistic methods of approaching life. Therefore, the mood of discovery, the presence of Spanish elitism, and the primary influences of the journey are all interconnected features that potently contribute to the reason as to why “The Letter of Columbus to Luis De Sant Angel Announcing His Discovery” may be classified as one of the strongest pieces of early colonial literature.
Works Cited
“Christopher Columbus – Biography.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.
Columbus, Christopher. “The Letter of Columbus to Luis De Sant Angel Announcing His Discovery.” 1493. MS. New York Public Library, New York City. USHistory.org. Web. 19 Aug. 2014.
History.com Staff. “Christopher
Columbus.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.
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