eporting Back to Queen Isabella ‌

When Don Cristobal returned to a hero’s welcome, his caravels corked with treasures of the New World, he presented his findings; told of his great adventures to Queen Isabella, whose speech set the gold standard for her nation’s language. When he came to Xamaica he described it so: “The fairest isle that eyes ever beheld.” Then he balled up a big sheet of parchment, unclenched, and let it fall off a flat surface before it landed at her feet. There we were, massifs, high mountain ranges, expansive plains, deep valleys, one he ’d christened for the Queen of Spain. Overabundance of wood, over one hundred rivers, food, and fat pastures for Spanish horses, men, and cattle; and yes, your majesty, there were some people.

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