The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Volume 1Inspired by the then recent unearthing of original documents and letters of Christopher Columbus, the American writer Washington Irving set about, in the 1820s, to create the first unlimited and complete account of the great explorer and his journeys. This is that account, sweeping in its scope, as intimate as a novel, as thrilling as a grand adventure story. In this, the first of two volumes, Irving introduces us to Columbus's hearings at the courts of Spain and Portugal seeking sponsorship of his journeys and follows Columbus on his first three voyages to the New World. As shipwrecks and mutinies, strange natives and displeased monarchs dog his endeavors, Columbus perseveres through all. With a dedication to historical accuracy combined with a flair for engaging storytelling, Irving bestows upon us one of the classic works of history of the Age of Exploration. WASHINGTON IRVING (1783-1859) was born in New York City to Scottish immigrant parents. Considered by some the "Father of American Literature," Irving is best known for his short stories, including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle," but he also produced an extensive bibliography of essays, poems, travel books, and biographies. |
Contents
VIISojourn of Columbus at Barcelona Attentions paid | 235 |
BOOK VI | 261 |
Cruise among the Caribbee Islands | 271 |
Arrival at the Harbor of La Navidad Disaster of | 277 |
Transactions with the Natives Suspicious Conduct | 286 |
89 | 288 |
VIFounding of the City of Isabella Maladies of | 292 |
Discontents at Isabella Mutiny of Bernal Diaz de Pisa | 303 |
| 81 | |
| 89 | |
| 103 | |
BOOK III | 109 |
Continuation of the Voyage Various Terrors of | 118 |
BOOK IV | 135 |
Cruise among the Bahama Islands | 143 |
Discovery and Coasting of Cuba | 150 |
Further Coasting of Cuba | 158 |
Search after the supposed Island of Babeque Desertion | 164 |
Coasting of Hispaniola | 174 |
Shipwreck | 180 |
Regulation of the Fortress of La Navidad Departure | 193 |
BOOK V | 199 |
CHAPTER PAGE | 213 |
81 | 233 |
Distribution of the Spanish Forces in the Interior | 334 |
Coasting Voyage along the South Side of Jamaica | 369 |
BOOK VIII | 379 |
Troubles with the Natives Alonzo de Ojeda besieged | 390 |
Arrival of Antonio de Torres with four Ships from Spain | 403 |
Subjugation of the Natives Imposition of Tribute | 411 |
Intrigues against Columbus in the Court of Spain | 419 |
Arrival of Aguado at Isabella His arrogant Conduct | 425 |
Discovery of the Mines of Hayna | 431 |
Decline of the Popularity of Columbus in Spain His | 441 |
CHAPTER PAGE | 448 |
BOOK X | 459 |
Voyage through the Gulf of Paria | 466 |
Continuation of the Voyage through the Gulf of Paria | 475 |
Speculations of Columbus concerning the Coast of Paria | 482 |
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The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Classic Reprint) Washington Irving No preview available - 2018 |
Common terms and phrases
¹ Hist ¹ Las Casas abounded admiral Almirante Alonso de Ojeda anchored Andalusia appeared arms arrived Asia Azores beautiful beheld boat cacique called Canary Islands canoe Caonabo Cape caravel Caribs Castilian CHAPTER Charlevoix Cibao Cipango coast colony Colum command considered continued course court crew crown Cuba decad Diego discovered discovery distance enterprise expedition favorable Fernando forests fortress friar gave the name Genoa gold Granada Guacanagari harbor Herrera Hispaniola honor Indians inhabitants Isabella island Juan kind king land leagues letter los Palacios lumbus Marco Polo mariners Martin Alonzo Pinzon Moguer monarch mountains natives Navarrete navigation night observed ocean Ojeda Oviedo Palos Pedro persons Peter Martyr Pinta Portugal Portuguese present prince promised Ptolemy queen received regions river royal sail sent Seville ships shore Spain Spaniards spirit supposed tion took trees various vessel Viage village voyage wind
Popular passages
Page 232 - ... him. His entrance into this noble city has been compared to one of those triumphs which the Romans were accustomed to decree to conquerors. First were paraded the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and decorated with...
Page 243 - ... the heathen for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession.
Page 134 - Sanchez of Segovia, and made the same inquiry. By the time the latter had ascended the round-house, the light had disappeared. They saw it once or twice afterwards in sudden and passing gleams; as if it were a torch in the bark of a fisherman, rising and sinking with the waves ; or in the hand of some person on shore, borne up and down as he walked from house to house. So transient and uncertain were these gleams, that few attached any importance to them; Columbus, however, considered them as certain...
Page 108 - After the great difficulties made by various courts in patronizing this enterprise, it is surprising how inconsiderable an armament was required. It is evident that Columbus had reduced his requisitions to the narrowest limits, lest any great expense should cause impediment. Three small vessels were apparently all that he had requested. Two of them were light barks, called caravels, not superior to river and coasting craft of more modern days.
Page 137 - Sanchez, and the rest who had landed, he took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giving the island the name of San Salvador. Having complied with the requisite forms and ceremonies, he called upon all present to take the oath of obedience to him, as admiral and viceroy, representing the persons of the sovereigns.* The feelings of the crew now burst forth in the most extravagant transports.
Page 234 - As Columbus approached, the sovereigns rose, as if receiving a person of the highest rank. Bending his knees, he...
Page 138 - Their veering about, apparently without effort, and the shifting and furling of their sails, resembling huge wings, filled them with astonishment. When they beheld their boats approach the shore, and a number of strange beings clad in glittering steel or raiment of various colors landing upon the beach, they fled in affright to the woods.
Page 133 - The breeze had been fresh all day, with more sea than usual, and they had made great progress. At sunset they had stood again to the west, and were ploughing the waves at a rapid rate, the Pinta keeping the lead, from her superior sailing.
Page 104 - Let those who are disposed to faint under difficulties, in the prosecution of any great and worthy undertaking, remember that eighteen years elapsed after the time that Columbus conceived his enterprise, before he was enabled to carry it into effect ; that the...
Page 111 - India ; and for this purpose bestowed great favors upon me, ennobling me, that thenceforward I might style myself Don, appointing me high admiral of the Ocean sea, and perpetual viceroy and governor of all the islands and continents I should discover and gain, and which henceforward may be discovered and gained in the Ocean sea ; and that my eldest son should succeed me, and so on from generation to generation for ever.