The Depiction of Native American in Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez
BY
DELLA PUTRI FEBRINA
(14/373874/PSA/07829)
AMERICAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
GADJAH MADA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2015
INTRODUCTION
This paper is aimed to be a final paper for early American Literature and Romantic
Literature and the concern of this paper, specifically, related to early American Literature. In
early American Literature, it is common that we will find many records about the geographical
condition of America since American literary has also undergone exploration period which
talked mostly about America as a land itself. Interestingly, America once has been considered as
a part of India, by some people, including Christopher Columbus who had identified the Native
Americans as Indians. By seeing this fact, the writer wants to see the depiction of the Native
Americans through the eyes of the explorers who considered America as India. In this paper, the
writer also wants to discuss about the Native Americans being depicted in the records. To
analyze this, the writer chooses an early American literature that is considered as the works from
exploration period, namely Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez. The literary work is
chosen because the work related to the topic that the writer wants to analyze, which is the
depiction of Native Americans. Added information about the letter is that the letter introduces us
people with a certain term, travel literature. It is common to find travel literature in the early
American Literature. In travel literature, we usually can see the exploration of America in the
early stage of America’s development. It is also fascinating that the travel literature in early
American literature is often written by the explorers since America, in the early era, has been
considered as an exploration place for the travellers. The travel literature in early American
literature is not eventually a work written by people from America.
There is a reason why the writer wants to analyze the topic and pick Columbus’ Letter to
Lord Raphael Sanchez as the object for the topic. In the early literature, the portrayal of Native
America is always in those literary works and usually they are described as savage and wild
people who didn’t know anything. In the earlier discussion, the writer found that Christopher
Columbus also define the Native American in such a way; even though, there are some Native
American that he hadn’t met himself. Furthermore, the writer also finds that it is important to
include the historical records about Native America and compare those archives with the one that
has been written by Christopher Columbus in his Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez because there
might be some differences and similarities, regarding the portrayal of the Native American.
Thus, the differences and similarities can raise some questions about how Christopher Columbus
described the Native American in his letter.
ANALYSIS
In here, the writer used a single literary work entitled Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez as
the object of the discussion. Yet, there are some books that will help the writer to see the
depiction of Native America based on historical records. Thus, in discussing the topic, the writer
will divide the discussion in two parts. The first part talks about the myth/depiction of Native
America in Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez and the second is the portrayal of Native
American based on the historical records.
A. Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez
Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez is written in March 14, 1493. It is not written
by American because America is not even formed, yet it is considered as an American
literature in exploration period since the content of the literary work connected with the
geographical state of America. This letter is considered as a literary work that has a big
impact in the history of America since the literary work is considered as the first work that
talk about America and its inhabitants. The letter itself is a part of Columbus’ records about
his voyage in searching for spices and gold for Spain. One thing that the writer found
interesting about the letter is the letter doesn’t represent the historical record of Columbus’
exploration but is rather considered as a part of literary work.
Regarding the portrayal of Native American in his letter, there are several characteristics
of Native American that can be found in the letter. Columbus mentioned that he had some
Native Americans that he had seized which give him some information about the islands and
the people within, even though there are also some information about the islands and the
local people that he collected himself, like the Native American in Espanola. In the letter, he
mentioned the nature of Native American that lived in the Espanola, as stated in the letter,
“The inhabitants of both sexes in this island, and in all the others which I have
seen, or of which I have received information, go always naked as they were born,
with the exception of some the women, who use the covering of a leaf, or small
bough, or an apron of cotton which they prepare for that purpose.”
The description above mentioned about the appearance of the Native American in Espanola.
Columbus had met some Native Americans and got information that the Native American in
Espanola did not wear any clothes, except for some women. From the above passage, it can
be concluded that the possible nature of Native American is doesn’t wear any clothes, except
for some women. The difference between these women and the other naked people in
Espanola also raises some questions, especially about why these women can wear clothes,
compared to other people. Yet, Columbus didn’t give enough explanation about the function
of clothes in Espanola.
Furthermore, Columbus also describes another trait about these Native Americans. He
mentioned about how incompetent Native American in using weapons. He also stated that
Native Americans has no knowledge about iron,
“None of them, as I have already said, are possessed of any iron, neither have
they weapons, being unacquainted with, and indeed incompetent to use them, not
from any deformity of body (for they are well-formed), but because they are timid
and full of fear.”
The reason why the Native Americans are unable to use irons as weapons, as stated by
Columbus in the above passage, is because the Native Americans are timid and full of fear.
This statement is rather arguing because the Native Americans are people who are full of fear
since they are usually faced by war, which happened between other tribe to another. They
also possessed some kind of weapon that will protect them from any harm.
Columbus also reflected the honesty and simplicity of the Native Americans in his letter.
In the below statement, Columbus hinted about how generous the Native Americans in
bartering their things with other people.
“As soon however as they see that they are safe, and have laid aside all fear, they
are very simple and honest, and exceedingly liberal with all they have; none of
them refusing any thing he may possess when he is asked for it, but on the
contrary inviting us to ask them. They exhibit great love towards all others in
preference to themselves: they also give objects of great value for trifles, and
content themselves with very little of nothing in return.”
Native Americans are described as people who are not greedy in possessing the things that
they had. Columbus said that the Native Americans are very friendly, including in the way of
how they barter or calculate the value of things. There is one case that described in the
Columbus’ letter about how the Native Americans wanted to barter their valuable goods such
as gold or cotton for simple things.
“It even happened that a sailor received for a leather strap as much gold as was
worth three golden nobles, and for things of more trifling value offered by our
men, especially newly coined blancas, or any gold coins, the Indians would give
whatever the seller required; as for instance, an ounce and a half or two ounces
of gold, or thirty or forty pounds of cotton, with which commodity they were
already acquainted. Thus they bartered, like idiots, cotton and gold for fragments
of bows, glasses, bottles, and jars;……”
In the above statement, Columbus presented about how the barter happened between the
sailor in the Columbus’ ship and the Native Americans. It’s quite unexpected that Columbus
mentioned the Native Americans as idiot people because they bartered cotton and gold for
trifles things, such as bows, glasses, bottles, and jars. Then, the writer also questions about
Columbus’ statement that the Native Americans will barter gold and cotton with whatever
the seller wants. The writer wonders if the Native Americans really bartered their gold and
cotton for those things because it is known that Native Americans also had barter system
happened in their communities. Commonly, the Native Americans will barter their goods for
other things that are needed by them. Yet, the barter system that is mentioned by Columbus is
rather reckless.
Moreover, Columbus mentioned about the belief system of Native American, too. And it
is interesting that Columbus said the Native American believed him as a person who came
from heaven, as stated in the below,
“They practice no kind of idolatry, but have a firm belief that all strength and
power, and indeed all good things, are in heaven, and that I had descended from
thence with these ships and sailors, and under this impression was I received after
they had thrown aside their fears. Nor are they slow or stupid, but of very clear
understanding; and those men who have crossed to the neighbouring islands give
an admirable description of everything they observed; but they never saw any
people clothed, nor any ships like ours”
Columbus described about how the Native Americans fascinated with him and his people. He
also said that the Native Americans never saw the clothed people like him and the ship that
he had. Again, the description is taken from Columbus’ point of view and it’s questionable if
Columbus’ ship is really the first ship that the Native Americans seen since in that moment,
the sea expedition is not rare thing to do. There is a high possibility that the Native
Americans ever met other explorers than Columbus.
Columbus also noted the transportation method that is being used by the Native
Americans. Canoe is described as the transport device that the Native American had, as
quoted in the below statement,
“Each of these islands has a great number of canoes, built of solid wood, narrow
and not unlike our double-banked boats in length and shape, but swifter in their
motion: they steer them only by the oar. These canoes are of various sizes, but the
greater number are constructed with eighteen banks of oars, and with these they
cross to the other islands, which are of countless number, to carry on traffic with
the people. I saw some of these canoes that held as many as seventy-eight
rowers”
In here, Columbus mentioned clearly that the transportation system of the Native Americans.
Each of islands will have many canoes. The canoes will be the ones which distribute the
Native Americans to the other islands that surrounded them. From the above statement, it
also can be concluded the Native Americans had great knowledge, especially in making
canoes. There are many canoes in various sizes and the canoes are capable of distributing
people as many as seventy-eight people to other islands. This observation can be seen as the
proof that the Native American’s capability in making things and adapting to the
surroundings.
From his notes, it also can be seen that Columbus had been gone to some islands that he
can describe about the physical condition and manners of the Native American in some
islands,
“In all these islands there is no difference of physiognomy, of manners, or of
language, but they all clearly understand each other, a circumstance very
propitious for the realization of what I conceive to be the principal wish of our
most serene King, namely, the conversion of these people to the holy faith of
Christ, to which indeed, as far as I can judge, they are very favourable and welldisposed.”
Another thing that interested to see in the above statement is the aim of Columbus to convert
the Native American into Christianity. Conversion is always being the major concern in the
expedition; other than gold, cotton, and spices. In this letter, conversion also became an
important point to be reported to Lord Raphael Sanchez because in that time, religion became
one of the main things to be glorified and the Native Americans are the ones of the people
that he wants to be converted into Christianity.
In the place called Indiane Anam, Columbus told Lord Raphael Sanchez in his letter that
there are local people who born with tails.
“there are in the western part of the island two provinces which I did not
visit; one of these is called by the Indiane Anam, and its inhabitants are
born with tails”
There are two provinces that weren’t visited by Columbus. However, instead of stating about
the possible geographical situation of those two areas, Columbus preferred to mention about
the inhabitants of those two islands. In there, he mentioned that there are people who born
with tails. The writer questioned about if the story about people who born with tails is true,
yet Columbus found that mentioning the people who born with tails is interesting thing to be
reported to Lord Raphael Sanchez.
In the other paragraph, Columbus also mentioned about the hospitality of the Native
Americans toward him and his people.
“I also left them one caravel, and skillful workmen both in ship building and
other arts, and engaged the favor and friendship of the King of the island in their
behalf, to a degree that would not be believed, for these people are so amiable
and friendly that even the King took a pride in calling me his brother. But
supposing their feelings should become changed, and they should wish to injure
those who have remained in the fortress, they could not do so, for they have no
arms, they go naked, and are moreover too cowardly; ao that those who hold the
said fortress, can easily keep the whole island in check, without any pressing
danger to themselves, provided they do not transgress the directions and
regulations which I have given them”
In the above passage, other than hospitality, Columbus also mentioned that the Native
Americans have no courage to fight him and his people. The writer finds that this might be
the intention of Columbus to say that the Native Americans have no nerve to go against him.
If he mentioned Native Americans as harmless people, then Columbus can receive a good
reward from the King and Queen of Spain because he finds that a potential place with great
resources and friendly people. However, in the following passage, he mentioned about the
possibility of the violent Native American that lived in the certain place named Charis, as
stated in the below statement,
“Thus, as I have already said, I saw no cannibals, nor did I hear of any, except in
a certain island called Charis, which is the second from Espanola on the side
towards India, where dwell a people who are considered by the neighbouring
islanders most ferocious: and these feed upon human flesh. The same people have
many kinds of canoes, in which they cross to all the surrounding islands and rob
and plunder wherever they can; they are not different from the other islanders,
except that they wear their hair long, like women, and make use of the bows and
javelins of cane, with sharpened spear-points fixed on the thickest end, which I
have before described, and therefore they are looked upon as ferocious, and
regarded by the other Indians with unbounded fear; but I think no more of them
than of the rest”
It can be concluded from the passage that there is a high chance of cannibalism happened in
one of the islands. Columbus described about how savage the men from this island are.
However, it’s quite fascinating that Columbus felt no fear toward those men. Again,
Columbus wants to show that, even the harmful people in those islands, will not endanger his
lives because Columbus ensures that he was more powerful than the men in Charis island.
Generally, in Columbus’ point of view, the Native Americans are described as timid and
full of fear people because Columbus believed that the Native Americans had no courage to
go against them. It is also triggered Columbus’ bravery in building fortress in one of the
islands. Moreover, even though there are some Native Americans who behaved more violent
than the others, Columbus believed that those people won’t win against him and his people.
Columbus also thought that the Native Americans have no knowledge in barter system. He
considered that the Native Americans didn’t know about the value of their goods and the
Native American can be easily deceived. Columbus also believed that there are Native
Americans who had outrageous physical condition, even though he never met the people
directly.
B. Native American during Columbus’ arrival
Native American and its portrayal can be seen in some literary works and historical
account. There are many records about Native Americans and it can be related with their
culture, way of living, and etc. The exploration of Native American’s life can be found, even,
when before America became a whole nation, like in this moment. Regarding the analysis,
the writer will also focus on historical records about how the Native American treated during
the Europeans’ arrival, especially in Columbus’ expedition.
Before stating about the condition of the Native Americans after Columbus’ arrival, the
writer wants to give a bit introduction about the Native Americans and the system within
their society. The data is taken from a book entitled Native Americans, An Encyclopedia of
History, Culture, and Peoples: Vol. 1 by Barry M. Pritzker. In this book, Pritzker described
about the amount of people in a tribe and how people live in the land,
“Some groups built great cities, with ten of thousand of residents, whereas others
preferred living in small groups. Fighting was endemic among some groups,
whereas others lived in relative peace. Many Native Americans were deeply
knowledgeable about the land itself” (pg. ix)
From the above statement, it can be seen there is different amount of people in certain tribe,
it can be smaller or bigger communities. It can also be concluded that there must a certain
rule among Native Americans to cope social arrangements within the society since Native
American is capable in governing such society. Related to governing rule, Pritzker also
define that Native American had their own way to govern their society,
“In the realm of government, too, Indians fashioned complex responses to various
local situations. Some groups developed councils, some were run by clan
associations, and some had separate war and peace government”
In here, Pritzker wants to describe it is wrong to think that the Native Americans doesn’t any
system in the society since they also had councils, associations, and government. The
appearance of King also explained that the Native Americans acknowledge monarch system
in their society. Thus, from these findings, the writer wants to argue about Columbus’
explanation about the Native Americans in his letter because his letter has assumed that the
Native Americans aren’t well-educated and rather inferior. Again, for this condition, the
reason can be Columbus’ need to appeal the King and Queen of Spain for donating money to
his expedition.
From the further reading, the writer also finds a fact about Columbus’ arrival in America
as stated by Pritzker,
“The arrival of Columbus in 1492 inaugurated the contact period in southeastern
history. News of the effects of this event on the offshore native people—massive
death, mistreatment, and enslavement—may have reached Florida well before the
actual arrival of Europeans. By the time of the 1519 Juan Ponce de León
expedition and other Spanish explorations well into the interior soon after, many
Indians knew enough to fear the intruders. Despite efforts to protect themselves,
many Indians suffered violence and death from non-native depredations and
disease” (pg. 522)
The above explanation explained about how the Native Americans are afraid of the arrival of
Columbus and other explorers because the Native Americans have to suffer massive death,
mistreatment, and enslavement. The Native Americans also lost their lives because of
violence and disease from the explorers. This fact eventually contradicts the Columbus’
description about the Native Americans’ nature. Those people aren’t full of fear because they
have no knowledge about anything but, it’s because Columbus treated them in a cruel way.
Therefore, it’s common if there are some questionable statements of Columbus in his letter.
Another explanation about how Native Americans suffered death and disease after
Europeans’ arrival can also be seen in The Seminole written by Frank Andrew. Andrew
stated the reduction of Native Americans’ people is the effect of Europeans’ arrival in
America,
“The peoples of the American Southeast experienced great traumas and
disruptions as a consequence of the Europeans’ arrival. The Europeans brought
many diseases that resulted in epidemics in Florida and elsewhere. Death tolls
varied, but smallpox, measles, yellow fever, plague, and other newly introduced
diseases resulted in declining populations throughout the area. European slave
raiders and warfare between Europeans and neighboring tribes caused further
devastation to the Native Americans of Florida. Depopulation did not occur
immediately, but by the eighteenth century, the Native population of Florida had
declined by 90 to 95 percent” (pg. 27)
The Europeans, either killing Native Americans or infecting them with disease, contribute to
the massive death of the Native Americans. This passage opposes the Columbus’ statement
that they can communicate with the Native Americans in peaceful way. There is a high
possibility that Columbus and other explorers try to colonize the Native Americans to
possess their gold and cotton. Then, the writer hesitated that the bartering system is really
happened between the Native American and the Europeans during this moment since there
are many records about the explorers harmed the Native Americans.
Furthermore, it is important to see the historical records of the Arawak because these
people are the first people who met Christopher Columbus and considered as Indians since
Columbus had been thought that he has landed in the East Indies, his sole purpose in doing
expedition.
In general, the Arawak were a peaceful people. They took up arms to defend
themselves only when necessary, as when attacked by the Carib Indians. (The
Carib, in fact, advancing northward from the South American mainland, had
driven the Arawak off most of the islands of the Lesser Antilles in the years before
Columbus’s arrival.) (pg.23)
The above record is taken from Waldman’s Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Third
Edition. Compared with Columbus’ letter, it is now understandable about why Columbus
stated the Native Americans as friendly people since the Arawak are known as the peaceful
people. They also took place in a war rarely. This characteristic eventually is being
advantaged by Columbus and his people. He forced some Arawak men to find gold for them,
as written in the below,
The peaceful Arawak treated the Spanish well, sharing food and knowledge with
them. They also helped rescue some of Columbus’s men during a shipwreck off
Hispaniola. But Spanish mistreatment of the Arawak led to conflict. Columbus
forced some Arawak from Watling Island to accompany him on the rest of his first
journey, setting a precedent. Colonists left behind by Columbus on Hispaniola
forced Arawak men to help look for gold. Some among them rose up in rebellion,
killing all the outsiders. (pg. 23-24)
The colonization finally happened in this area, between Columbus and the Arawak.
Eventually, some of Arawak men fought back their freedom and there was a war between
Columbus and the Arawak. Moreover, the cruelty of Columbus toward the Arawak was not
only about forcing them to find gold for him. Columbus also made some Arawak men as his
slaves to gain profit,
On his second voyage, Columbus established another colony on the coast of
Hispaniola. The Spaniards used the threat of violence to have the Arawak bring
gold to them on a regular basis. But the hoped-for riches were not obtained.
Instead, Columbus began taking Arawak as slaves for profit. (pg. 24)
It is interesting that Columbus didn’t mention about the colonization that he had done toward
the Arawak. In the letter, Columbus only mentioned that he can communicate well with the
Arawak since they are timid and simple people.
Moreover, the condition of the Native Americans became more depressing. There are
many people who died because of the intruders, namely Columbus and his descendants who
kept coming to their place and tried to colonize them.
As for the Native peoples of the Caribbean Islands, their numbers were depleted.
Many were struck down by European diseases. Others died from starvation
because the Spanish overworked them and underfed them. Some even committed
suicide out of despair over the loss of their freedom. Mothers sometimes killed
their newborns rather than see them grow up as slaves. Many survivors lost their
tribal identity through intermarriage with the colonists. (pg. 24)
The historical records about the Native American during Columbus’ arrival is not as peaceful
as the Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez. The actual record stated that the Native
American suffered a lot of problems and deaths after Columbus’ arrival. It is true that the
Arawak, as the first tribe of Native Americans, welcomed Columbus and his people in a good
way. Yet, the behavior was soon changed because Columbus tried to colonize them.
CONCLUSION
In the above description of Columbus’ Letter to Lord Raphael Sanchez and historical
records about the Native Americans, especially the Arawak; the writer finds that there is a slight
flaw in the Columbus’ letter, compared with the actual records of Native Americans’ lives. It is
known that the letter is a part of Columbus’ report to King and Queen of Spain. The letter is
noted as one of King and Queen of Spain’s consideration in observing Columbus’ voyage.
Therefore, it is understandable that Columbus might want to write about the positive sides of his
voyage, rather than describing everything in the neutral way.
The writer finds that Columbus is rather boasting about how he and his people superior
toward the Native Americans and how he conducted a good behavior toward the Native
Americans, compared with his people who deceive the Native Americans by bartering trifles
things. The writer finds that Columbus wants to show his good deeds toward the Native
Americans. This fact is rather arguing to consider because there are many records about how
violent Columbus treated the Native Americans.
At last, the letter raises a question about how Columbus hid his misconduct toward the
Native American. He never mention about how he forced the Native American to do whatever he
wants, including finding him gold and becoming his slaves. Yet, his misconduct eventually invite
another explorers to do the same thing toward the Native Americans and that fact can be seen as
the cause of how the Native American decreased in amount and the beginning of colonization in
America.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Frank, Andrew. The Seminole. New York: Chelsea House, 2011.
McNeese, Tim. Christopher Columbus: and the Discovery of the Americas. New York: Chelsea
House Publishers, 2006.
Pritzker, Barry M. Native Americans: an Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Peoples.
California: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1998.
Waldman, Carl. Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Third Edition. New York: Infobase
Publishing, 2006.
The characteristics of Early American Literature:
1. Some of them are considered as historical, religious, and travel literature
2. Dominated by Puritan beliefs
3. There are some narratives about slaves
4. Some of the literature are written by non-American
5. Some literature are encouraging the American to develop their new land
6. There are many types of literature flourished in this moment, whether it is novel, poetry,
essay, or sketches.