In this Espanola, and in the best district, where are gold mines, and, on the other side, from thence to terra firma, as well as from thence to the Great Khan, where everything is on a splendid scale--I have taken possession of a large town, to which I gave the name of La Navidad, and have built a fort in it, in every respect complete.

And I have left sufficient people in it to take care of it, with artillery and provisions for more than a year; also a boat and coxswain with the equipments, in complete friendship with the King of the islands, to that degree that he delighted to call me and look on me as his brother.

And should they fall out with these people, neither he nor his subjects know anything of weapons, and go naked, as I have said, and they are the most timorous people in the world.

The few people left there are sufficient to conquer the country, and the island would thus remain without danger to them, they keeping order among themselves.
"In all these islands it appeared to me the men are contented with one wife, but to their governor or king they allow twenty.

The women seem to work more than the men.