(*) To this first found land, called by the natives Guanahani, Columbus gave the name of San Salvador.  There is, however, great doubt whether this is the island known by that name on the maps.  Of late years the impression has generally been that the island thus discovered is that now known as Watling’s island.  In 1860 Admiral Fox, of the United States navy, visited all these islands, and studied the whole question anew, visiting the islands himself and working backwards to the account of Columbus’s subsequent voyage, so as to fix the spot from which that voyage began.  Admiral Fox decides that the island of discovery was neither San Salvador nor Watling’s island, but the Samana island of the same group.  The subject is so curious that we copy his results at more length in the appendix.

“I determined to wait till the next afternoon, and then to start for the southwest, for many of them told me that there was land to the south and southwest and northwest, and that those from the northwest came often to fight with them, and so to go on to the southwest to seek gold and precious stones.

“This island is very large and very flat and with very green trees, and many waters, and a very large lake in the midst, without any mountain.  And all of it is green, so that it is a pleasure to see it.  And these people are so gentle, and desirous to have our articles and thinking that nothing can be given them unless they give something and do not keep it back.  They take what they can, and at once jump (into the water) and swim (away).  But all that they have they give for whatever is given them.  For they barter even for pieces of porringus, and of broken glass cups, so that I saw sixteen skeins of cotton given for three Portuguese centis, that is a blanca of Castile, and there was more than twenty-five pounds of spun cotton in them.  This I shall forbid, and not let anyone take (it); but I shall have it all taken for your Highnesses, if there is any quantity of it.

“It grows here in this island, but for a short time I could not believe it at all.  And there is found here also the gold which they wear hanging to their noses; but so as not to lose time I mean to go to see whether I can reach the island of Cipango.

“Now as it was night they all went ashore with their almadias.”

Sunday, October 14.  “At daybreak I had the ship’s boat and the boats of the caravels made ready, and I sailed along the island, toward the north-northeast, to see the other port, * * * * what there was (there), and also to see the towns, and I soon saw two or three, and the people, who all were coming to the shore, calling us and giving thanks to God.  Some brought us water, others things to eat.  Others, when they saw that I did not care to go ashore, threw themselves into the sea and came swimming, and we understood that they asked us if we had come from heaven.  And an old man came into the boat, and others called all (the rest) men and women, with a loud voice:  ’Come and see the men who have come from heaven; bring them food and drink.’