Introduction
Christopher Columbus the greatest explorer of the Spanish empire in the whole of Britain was to first geographical explorer to the western world also known as the new world. Upon discovery of the island state of Espanola he wrote a letter showing his progress to the emperor of the Spanish empire regarding his thoughts on the economic harnessing and expansion of the new colony.
In his letter dated around 1494, Christopher Columbus gave a recount of his personal experiences at the island and its progress since his invasion and the situation of the original inhabitants as the red Indians. The political and economic situation of the people of the island seems low and Columbus in his letter calls for both religious and socio-economic civilization. He describes the land as safer and better for farming and trading. He estimates the colonists occupying the land as close to two thousand (Irving, 2009 p.56).
Columbus addressed the issue to his highness the emperor of the Spanish empire trying to give his own outline of law and order and the economic procedural harnessing of gold and other means of trade. He started his plan by initiating the civilization of the red Indians through religious conversion and empowerment this was meant to tame them. He then even suggested on the ways of improving the disciplinary acts of the immigrants and the moral rules of living and trading (Irving, 2009 p.102).
According to Columbus the mining of gold has to come with moral responsibility to enhance the conservancy and the good use of the wealth harnessed for the good use of the empire and the traders themselves. The weighing and stamping of gold has been done to enhance transparency and prevent gold laundering and theft. He thus recommends third parties as priests and magistrates witnessing and confirming that the said act of mining and trading was done in good faith. Thus the letter by Christopher Columbus was a directive to the Spanish empire on his own thoughts on how to run the newly acquired Colonies.
Works Cited
Irving, Washington, and John H. McElroy. The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 2009. Print.
