They came swimming to the boats, bringing parrots, balls
of cotton thread, javelins, and many other things which
they exchanged for articles we gave them.... All whom I
saw were young, not above thirty years of age, well made,
with fine shapes and faces.... Weapons they have none,
nor are acquainted with them, for I showed them swords
which they grasped by the blades, and cut themselves
through ignorance.... It appears to me, that the people
are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of
opinion that they would very readily become Christians,
as they appear to have no religion....
I could conquer the whole of them with fifty men, and
govern them as I pleased.
-Christopher Columbus,
1492
What was the author's purpose for writing this text?
Oto detail a plan for settlement of the Americas
O to explain the reasons for exploration of the
Americas
to describe his encounters with American Indians
to indicate the likelihood of hostile relations with
American Indians
