Christopher Columbus 'discovers' America

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/columbus.htm
This is the link to the website that holds an extract of Christopher Columbus's account of finding America.

This account/ diary explains more of what they think when they first arrive to the island and there initial expectations.

"Having landed, they saw trees very green, and much water, and fruits of diverse kinds. The Admiral called to the two captains, and to the others who leaped on shore, and to Rodrigo Escovedo, secretary of the whole fleet, and to Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, and said that they should bear faithful testimony that he, in presence of all, had taken, as he now took, possession of the said island for the King and for the Queen his Lords, making the declarations that are required, as is now largely set forth in the testimonies which were then made in writing."

I believe that this part of the extract is key in understanding why they were so keen on taking America as there own. The sight of fertile land, water, fruit (an almost tropical setting) would have very strong allusions to that of the Garden of Eden. Many devout Christians in Western Europe believed that the land and country was corrupt, so this asserts the belief that America was a second chance for the settlers to start a fresh new life of worship, free of Sin.

However, the mentality of ownership is extremely strong. That now they have found this Island, it is theirs for the taking and even wrote up documents stating that they would own or possess the 'said island.'

Such ownership was seen in the extract shown in the Exploration and Expectation lecture. More specifically, http://www.yoism.org/?q=node/60.

In this, ownership is raised again when it is said that the Natives found living upon the Island would make 'perfect slaves'. Of course, by today's standard, this is extremely barbaric, cruel and most definitely unchristian.

His findings obviously documented some curiosities about the land that they had come to find. They were obviously thrilled with the Land, which was indeed Adarmic in nature. However, they were also fascinated by the people that populated the Island.

"They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features"

It appears here that Columbus refers to the people that they find among the Island more like cattle or a commoditiy than actual human beings - which is very reflective of the time, but also indicates the intentions that he himself, and the people who have arranged the Voyage have.